League Report: Bohemians 0 - 1 Dundalk

Paul Corcoran reports from Dalymount Park

Dundalk cut the gap at the top of the Premier Division to just four points with a 1-0 victory over Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Friday night.

John Martin came off the bench to score the only goal of the game to give Stephen O’Donnell’s side the three points in a hard fought contest.

Keith Long made two changes to his side from their 2-1 loss to Sligo Rovers last weekend, Ethon Varian and Union Berlin loan signing Laurenz Dehl came into the starting team to make their first starts for the Gypsies in place of Liam Burt and Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe.

The visitors also made two changes after their 1-1 draw with Derry City, Alfie Lewis and Ryan O’Kane took the place of Paul Doyle and Daniel Kelly, with Lewis making his first start for the Lilywhites since he joined Stephen O’Donnell’s men in July.

The home side were on top in the opening minutes with Ciaran Kelly firing over the bar after the ball dinged around the box from a corner-kick. James Clarke very nearly played Ethon Varian in on goal in the sixth minute, but Dundalk’s Darragh Leahy got across quickly to block the striker’s effort.

O’Donnell’s men were dealt a huge blow in the 12^th minute when captain Pat Hoban went down injured, the forward was forced to hobble off the field with John Martin entering the game in his place.

Some good play by Steven Bradley in the 22^nd minute nearly had the visitors in for an opening goal, he got the ball to Ryan O’Kane who threaded it into the path of Martin, but a Bohs defender just got there in time to flick the ball from danger.

The Lilywhites were in again in the 28^th minute when Greg Sloggett played a good ball into Bradley, the midfielder took the ball on before rattling off a shot in a crowded box with the defence just managing to deflect the ball behind.

Leahy nearly nicked a goal on the half hour mark when Tadhg Ryan failed to claim what looked like an easy ball in his box, the defender followed through, but the goalkeeper had enough about him to deny the visitors.

The best chance of the first half came in the 38^th minute when Sam Bone found Ryan O’Kane’s feet in the Bohs’ box from his own half, the midfielder held the ball up well before setting Martin up for another crack, but Ryan made a great save at point blank range.

Despite that being the key chance, the visitors still took the lead just before half-time in somewhat bizarre fashion. Leahy sent a searching ball into the box and again it looked like Tadhg Ryan would claim the ball, whatever way John Martin challenged the Bohs shot stopper he managed to get some contact on the ball and send it bobbling into the net.

The home side called for a foul on the goalkeeper, but their protests fell on deaf ears with referee Adriano Reale waving them away.

Joe Adams played Ryan O’Kane in on goal shortly after the re-start, the midfielder skipped past half-time substitute Rory Feely before striking a shot on goal with Tadhg Ryan getting down quickly to make the stop.

Andy Boyle was dismissed in the 52^nd minute when a long ball had Ethon Varian though on goal, the forward raced forward but the defender clipped his ankles to stop him in his tracks while he was one on one with Nathan Shepperd.

The numerical advantage was with the home side and the pressure was on them to push on and attack, Johnny Afolabi went very close just moments after his introduction around the hour mark – the striker flashed wide at a tight angle after a great low cross into the box.

Second half substitute Robbie McCourt very nearly doubled Dundalk’s lead in the 67^th minute, a Steven Bradley free-kick from the left side of the ox found the defender’s head but he sent the ball inches over the bar.

Alfie Lewis placed a lovely ball over the top in the 74^th minute, nearly finding John Martin, Tadhg Ryan anticipated the move excellently and arrived to strip the ball off the striker before any damage could be done.

The home side went close in the last ten minutes, Ryan Burke pulled the ball wide from distance in the 83^rd minute and just moments later Declan McDaid headed the ball inches wide from an Ali Coote corner-kick.

Johnny Afolabi went close again in the 87^th minute when he broke away on goal, he had the Dundalk goalkeeper beaten but his shot struck the woodwork and came back out to the groans of the Bohemians home fans.

Despite eight minutes of injury time, courtesy of several stoppages due to many of the Lilywhite players going down with what appeared to be leg cramps, the home side couldn’t find that elusive equaliser and fell to their second defeat in a row.

Bohemians: Tadhg Ryan; Ryan Burke (Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe, 83), Ciarán Kelly, Josh Kerr, Laurenz Dehl (Rory Feely, HT); John O’Sullivan Johnny Afolabi, (61), Declan Mcdaid (Liam Burt, 73), James Clarke, Jordan Doherty (Conor Levingston, HT), Ali Coote; Ethon Varian.

Subs not used: Jon MCCracken, Tyreke Wilson, Kris Twardek, James McManus.

Booked: Conor Levingston (77).

Dundalk: Nathan Shepperd; Darragh Leahy, Andy Boyle, Sam Bone, Lewis Macari; Alfie Lewis, Greg Sloggett, Ryan O’Kane (Robbie Benson, 79), Joe Adams (Robbie McCourt, 54), Steven Bradley; Pat Hoban (John Martin, 12).

Subs not used: Peter Cherrie, Keith Ward, Runar Hauge, David McMillan, Mark Byrne.

Booked: John Martin (13), Andy Boyle (52), Sam Bone (68), Nathan Shepperd (84)

Sent off: Andy Boyle (52)

Referee: Adriano Reale.

Attendance: 4,000 (estimate)

extratime.com Player of the Match: Greg Sloggett (Dundalk)