Bohemians ready for TNS battle
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Bohemians’ clean sheet last Tuesday in the first leg against The New
Saints could well prove a decisive factor heading into this evening’s
return match at Park Hall. There were plenty of warning signs around
Barry Murphy’s goalmouth last week to alert Pat Fenlon to the dangers
posed by the Welsh champions but likewise at the other end, on another
night the Gypsies, and Paddy Madden in particular, could have
dispatched a bag full with the chances presented.
Bohs’ last visit to the valleys ended with a 4-2 win two years ago against Rhyl to compound an overall result to 9-3 in their Intertoto Cup tie but their current Welsh opposition are more of a complete side. The threat by the likes of Craig Jones down the right as well as Matthew Berkeley and Chris Sharp (son of ex-Everton and Scottish player Graeme) up front could well have Owen Heary and his troops in the back four under no small amount of pressure here as TNS go searching for an elusive first win in European competition.
Last night Bohemians came through a light training session at the Oswestry ground where the artificial surface could be a minor advantage to the home side but with such regular visits (fixtures being as they are in the LOI) to Oriel Park the surface should not be an undue worry for Bohemians’ fans. Pat Fenlon’s side are coming off the back of a good run of form and the 2-0 victory at Dalymount on Friday over Sligo Rovers leaves his charges in good stead for tonight’s challenge.
A somewhat glamorous tie against Belgian champions Anderlecht await whoever comes through but Pat Fenlon believes nothing can be taken for granted as of yet. “TNS gave us a tough game in Dublin already and the return match will be no different. In the Champions League you never get an easy draw and TNS showed everyone that they are a good side.
“The game the other night was end to end and this one might well be the same. I think anyone who watched the match would agree that there wasn’t much between the teams and we are under no illusions that it will be a difficult game for us. They have a few experienced players including a lad [Steve Evans] with seven international caps for Wales and I think that shows the quality of team they are.”
Aaron Greene is back in the reckoning after he missed the past number of matches with an ankle injury - he played against Wolves on Saturday (friendly at Dalymount) and should be available tonight. Anto Murphy and Steven Gray on the other hand are still recovering from achilles injuries and are unlikely to feature.
With Park Hall having a UEFA restricted capacity of 1,000 for European fixtures the large Bohs’ support likely to attend will give the Phibsboro outfight every chance of progressing further, “The good thing from our point of view is that we’ve got a big support going which is great. It’s only a small ground so to get 400 or 500 Bohs fans in it will be a big plus for us.” stated Fenlon.
Bohs’ last visit to the valleys ended with a 4-2 win two years ago against Rhyl to compound an overall result to 9-3 in their Intertoto Cup tie but their current Welsh opposition are more of a complete side. The threat by the likes of Craig Jones down the right as well as Matthew Berkeley and Chris Sharp (son of ex-Everton and Scottish player Graeme) up front could well have Owen Heary and his troops in the back four under no small amount of pressure here as TNS go searching for an elusive first win in European competition.
Last night Bohemians came through a light training session at the Oswestry ground where the artificial surface could be a minor advantage to the home side but with such regular visits (fixtures being as they are in the LOI) to Oriel Park the surface should not be an undue worry for Bohemians’ fans. Pat Fenlon’s side are coming off the back of a good run of form and the 2-0 victory at Dalymount on Friday over Sligo Rovers leaves his charges in good stead for tonight’s challenge.
A somewhat glamorous tie against Belgian champions Anderlecht await whoever comes through but Pat Fenlon believes nothing can be taken for granted as of yet. “TNS gave us a tough game in Dublin already and the return match will be no different. In the Champions League you never get an easy draw and TNS showed everyone that they are a good side.
“The game the other night was end to end and this one might well be the same. I think anyone who watched the match would agree that there wasn’t much between the teams and we are under no illusions that it will be a difficult game for us. They have a few experienced players including a lad [Steve Evans] with seven international caps for Wales and I think that shows the quality of team they are.”
Aaron Greene is back in the reckoning after he missed the past number of matches with an ankle injury - he played against Wolves on Saturday (friendly at Dalymount) and should be available tonight. Anto Murphy and Steven Gray on the other hand are still recovering from achilles injuries and are unlikely to feature.
With Park Hall having a UEFA restricted capacity of 1,000 for European fixtures the large Bohs’ support likely to attend will give the Phibsboro outfight every chance of progressing further, “The good thing from our point of view is that we’ve got a big support going which is great. It’s only a small ground so to get 400 or 500 Bohs fans in it will be a big plus for us.” stated Fenlon.
