Fenn finding form of old

Since his move from Cork City before the start of last season its probably fair to say that Neale Fenn has struggled at times in the black and red of Bohemians. He failed to score last season in fourteen league starts and nine appearances as a substitute.

Fenn's game has never been just about scoring, but to put it politely, many Bohs fans believed that it wasn't just goals that were missing from his performances last season.

This season under a new manager Fenn is becoming an integral part of the side. He looks a lot fitter and the sharpness that was missing last season has returned to his game.

The first signs that he still had plenty to offer came in Bohs first pre-season friendly against Monaghan last February. His performance that day was awesome and the Monaghan back line simply didn't know how to deal with him.

At Terryland Park on the opening day of the season Fenn finally got his first goal for Bohs. Fenlons side went on to win one nil. That was the start of their impressive away form that has so far seen them drop just two points from a possible eighteen.

In Cobh on Saturday night a local radio commentator described the first half of the game as "The Neale Fenn Show". He was right. Straight from the opening whistle he was doing what he does best - linking up the play between midfield and attack, coming short, receiving the ball with his back to goal, turning the defender or holding it up, bringing others into the game, and creating chances for others.

The Cobh centre backs were reluctant to follow him out and around, but when they did he shielded the ball and they didn't get a look in. He then routinely picked out a team mate and Bohs looked to make the most of the fact that one of Cobh centre backs were out of position.

When Kevin Murray or Shane Guthrie were unwilling to pick him up responsibility fell to Kenny Coleman. Coleman did an ok job at limiting Fenn's effectiveness - in that he wasn't able to turn and face the goal as often or as easily, but with Cobh's holding midfielder occupied the Bohs midfield were at a numerical advantage and on a couple of occasions had free runs into the box.

It was Fenn that picked out Killian Brennan for Bohs only goal of the game. He had picked up possession in an advanced inside right position and floated the ball to the left hand side of the penalty area, where Brennan had slipped away from the Cobh captain and right back Alan Carey.

Prior to that he had set up Glen Crowe with a little chipped pass into the box and after the goal he laid on further chances for his strike partner. He was essentially involved in every Bohs attack at some stage. A shot from thirty yards went narrowly wide of the Cobh keepers post.

Cobh manager Stephen Henderson admitted after the game that Fenn was a real danger man and that it took his side until half time to sort things out and cope with him. When they did he or Bohs weren't half the threat that they had been in the opening forty five, but at that stage as Henderson rued, the damage had been done.

Speaking to extratime.ie, Bohs manager Pat Fenlon summed up his recent performances and the influence he has had on the side - "Fenny has been great for us".

"His first half performance tonight was first class. He got a bit tired in the second half but in fairness to him he stuck at it and that will stand to him"

Glen Crowe, was also full of praise when extratime.ie asked him about Fenn's contribution - "Fenn was different gravy! His link up play is second to none in this league. Its a tight enough pitch here and Cobh have two big lads at the back so there was no point in putting balls up in the air as they would win everything all day. So he was a big player for us today and he had a great game".

The result means Bohs have closed the gap on leaders St Pats to four points. Apart from Pats win in Dalymount earlier in the season there hasn't been much between the two sides so far. There is no doubt that Bohs are very real contenders for the title.

Fenn gives Fenlon another option upfront for when he feels a more delicate approach is required and he wants his front two operating at different depths. On current form it would be hard to leave Fenn out but as Fenlon has showed in recent games, he picks his side according to the opposition,and lines up with those that he feels will give them the best chance of winning

Theres no doubt that Fenn would relish an outing next Sunday when Bohs take on his former side Cork at Dalymount Park.