League Report: Bohemians 2 - 0 Sligo Rovers

Patrick O Connor reports from Dalymount Park

Bohemians certainly consolidated their position as a top four side with a very impressive 2-0 win over a depleted Sligo Rovers side at a packed Dalymount Park on Friday night.

A crowd of over 4,000 saw the home side put in one of their most impressive performances to date and the win now moves them to within three points of new league leaders Shamrock Rovers.

Sligo Rovers on the other hand were a pale shadow of the side which beat Derry City at home last weekend and their misery was compounded when they added to their already lengthy injury list.

The Gypsies were totally dominant from the kick off, something manager Declan Devine had highlighted in his pre match comments, but they were certainly aided by an 8th minute injury to Rovers’s centre back Eanna Clancy.

Clancy pulled up with what seemed to be a hamstring problem, and he was totally disconsolate as he walked off to the dressing room.

Bohs took full advantage of the disruption to the visitors and they bombarded their defence with James Akintunde and Kris Twardek looking very threatening when they were on the ball.

They almost scored the opening goal in the 18th minute from a stinging left footed free kick from Jordan Flores but keeper Luke McNicholas did very well to push it away to safety.

It went from bad to worse for John Russell’s side ten minutes later when Greg Bolger had to leave the field having picked up a foot injury and the dam finally burst for them four minutes later when Bohs scored the opening goal.

Akintunde won possession in the centre circle and had the vision to pick out Twardek on the left wing, the Canadian international then swung in an inviting cross and midfielder James Clarke found space to fire the ball past McNicholas for a well worked goal.

The home side looked likely to score a second before the break but Rovers managed to hold out to leave it one nil at half time.

Sligo did come into the game somewhat after the restart and had an opportunity to force an equaliser in the 55th minute. A quick free kick on the right touchline was played to an alert Johan Brannefalk and his low driven cross was almost touched home by Max Mata but Bohs managed to hack the ball away for a corner.

Ali Coote was through on goal in the 65th minute for Bohemians but he fluffed the opportunity with a heavy first touch but made up for it three minutes later by providing the assist for the second insurance goal.

The impressive Twardek floated the ball to the far post in the 68th minute where Coote was able to retain possession before passing to Declan McDaid and although his back was to goal, he managed to swivel and stroke the ball past McNicholas.

The Bit O’ Red had a few half chances as they tried to claw their way back into the game but in truth Bohemians were very comfortable and they were more than content to settle for the two- goal advantage.

Both teams now have a quick turnaround for the Bank Holiday Monday fixtures, Bohemians travel to play a resurgent Cork City in Turners Cross while an injury – ravaged Sligo Rovers have the unenviable task of hosting new leaders Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds.

Bohemian FC: James Talbot, Jay Benn, Krystian Nowak, Kacper Radkowski, Jordan Flores Kris Twardek, Ali Coote (Chris Lotefa 89), James Clarke (John O’Sullivan 78), Adam McDonnell, Keith Buckley, James Akintunde (Declan McDaid 60).

Subs not used: Luke Dennison, Drew Baker, Paddy Kirk, Grant Horton, Billy Gilmore, Jonathon Afolabi

Booked:  Kasper Radkowski (43), James Clarke (76)

Sligo Rovers: Luke McNicholas, Johan Brannefalk, Reece Hutchinson, Greg Bolger (Lukas Browning 28), Eanna Clancy (Danny Lafferty 8) William Fitzgerald, Niall Morahan, Frank Liivak, David Cawley ©, Max Mata, Kailin Barlow (Stefan Radosavijevic 68).

Subs not used: Richard Brush, Kyle Gabbidon, Eli Rooney, Owen Elding , Bogan Vastsuk.

Booked:  David Cawley (59), Reece Hutchison (82)

Referee: Eoghan O’ Shea

Attendance: 4, 147

Extratime.com Player of the Match: Kris Twardek (Bohemians)