League Preview: Bohemians -v- Drogheda United

BOHEMIAN FC

Bohs could end Friday night in second spot in the table just two points off top should they secure all three points against Drogheda United and St. Pat’s fail to win in Sligo.

The Gypsies come into the game with just one loss in their last seven league and cup matches and on the back of a 2-0 home win against UCD last week.

The home side have two wins against the Drogs this season but Boss boss Declan Devine, speaking to his club’s media team, is aware of the challenge for his team.

He said: “There is no underestimating Drogheda United. Kevin (Doherty) is a fantastic manager and he has some fantastic players. He has a lot of experience in his squad and a lot of players who can cause you problems.

“We also know that in the two games we have played against Drogheda this season that there has been very little between the sides. We had to dig in really, really hard up in Drogheda, and we showed good resilience when we played them in Dalymount too.

“Drogheda’s away form shows that they are not afraid of going to big venues and performing – they have won in the Brandywell and they have won in Tallaght.

It took till the 75^th minute for the Gypsies to break down UCD when they hosted the Students last week in Dalymount Park.

Jonathan Afolabi scored from the penalty spot for the opener, with the win wrapped up with the striker getting his seventh goal in the last six games a minute from time.

“We know we could have started at a higher level of intensity against UCD, so that is something that we want to make sure we bring to the table this week. John has been outstanding, absolutely outstanding. But you’re only as good as the people around you. We are providing him with opportunities that perhaps we weren’t earlier in the season.

“Johnny has been a real pivot for us in terms of a general play. You only have to see him in training to see how ruthless he has become, and long may that continue.

“I am delighted to see him nominated for Player of the Month along with James McManus. He just has to continue working at the levels he is working and continue to enjoy the moment.

“There are names on that top goalscorer list who aren’t in the country anymore and that should be his aim – topping that list and being the best striker in the country as I believe he is.”

Devine said: “We want to make sure that every time we play at Dalymount Park, that we are out of the traps fast, irrelevant of who we are playing.

“We are finishing games magnificently well – scoring a lot of late goals, using our bench – but we need to be more ruthless in the opening periods of games.”

DROGHEDA UNITED

It is the first of a trio of games away from home for Drogheda United beginning in Dalymount Park this Friday.

Last time the Boynesiders faced Bohs on the road they lost 3-1 and the come into the game six points clear of the relegation play-off position. Cork City currently sit in that ninth position and don’t play till Sunday when they travel to Tallaght.

Drogheda come into this match in Dublin off the back of back-to-back games against Sligo Rovers in the league and cup.

In the FAI Cup Drogheda progress to the second round with a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Adam Foley and a Ryan Brennan penalty. They followed that up with a superb comeback in Sligo last week.

The Bit O’ Red led 2-0 after an hour before Adam Foley headed in for his sixth goal in seven games before Dayle Rooney scored to earn the Drogs a point.

Both defender Jarlath Jones and midfielder Dylan Grimes are available as is loan signing Conor Kane on his return to the club.

They will be without Emmanuel Adegboyega however after he completed a transfer to Norwich City for an undisclosed fee. The 19-year-old now joins the Canaries after making 24 appearances in all competitions this season for the Drogs.

Manager Kevin Doherty said: “It will be a big loss. I didn’t want him to go obviously. As a player, he was brilliant, I’d have loved to have kept him for the rest of the season and we did everything we could but for Manny himself it’s a really amazing move. 

“He has all the attributes to go on and have a really great career.  Never mind the football attributes, but as a man. He has the right temperament, the right attributes, he works so so hard.”

Referee: Rob Hennessy

MATCH STATS

Bohs have beaten Drogs 3-1 at home and 2-0 away in the matches between the teams this season.

Jonathan Afolabi is top scorer for Bohs this season with eight. The Drogs top scorer is still Freddie Draper, also with eight goals, but he left the club earlier in the summer when his loan deal with Drogheda expired. Adam Foley is one goal back from Draper’s total.

PREDICTION

2-0 home win

Bohemians

Injured: Dean Williams

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Drogheda United

Injured: Jarlath Jones, Dylan Grimes.

Doubtful: Ryan Brennan

Suspended: None

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— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) August 3, 2023