Bohemians 2 - 0 Drogheda United
Bohemians comfortably beat Drogheda United in this one sided encounter at Dalymount Park on Friday night. Goals from Christy Fagan and Anto Flood secured the points for Pat Fenlon's side.
The home side completely dominated the first half. It was no surprise when they took the lead early on. The opening goal in the seventh minute came after excellent link up play involving Anto Flood and Christy Fagan. Flood headed through to Fagan and the Bohs number 10 finished neatly past Steven Trimble for his third goal in two games.
In the 18th minute Bohs nearly went two up. This time Fagan returned the favour and played a supersonic through pass to Anto Flood, who was denied by a brillant save from Steven Trimble. Trimble was in impressive form again in the 23rd minute. He brilliantly tipped Mark Rossiter's fine long range effort over the bar.
Pat Fenlon's team continued to dominate in the wet conditions. However in the 37th minute Trimble denied them again. On this occasion Killian Brennan set up Robert Bayly. Bayly's right footed effort was tipped round the post by the Drogheda keeper.
Mick Cooke's men failed to register even one shot on goal in the first half and Bohemian's only regret at the interval would have been that they were not further in front.
The home team nearly doubled their lead in the 52nd minute. After Drogheda cleared the initial free kick, Ger O' Brien played in Owen Heary. The Bohs captain advanced on goal but was denied by a very brave safe from Trimble.
However goal number two did come for the Gypsies in the 59th minute. It came about after Killian Brennan swung in a corner from the right. Liam Burns headed the ball across goal and Robert Bayly diverted the ball to Anto Flood who finished neatly from close range.
However the expected onslaught did not arrive from the home side. The closest Drogheda came to scoring was in the 79th minute. Substitute Gavin Brennan's long range free kick was just over Barry Murphy's crossbar.
The fact that Drogheda failed to register a single shot on target in the 90 minutes illustrates how dominant that Pat Fenlon's team were. Fenlon should be pleased with how well his side controlled the game. Drogheda boss Mick Cooke will be frustrated by the lack of opportunities that his side created as Drogheda continue to battle against relegation.
Bohemians: Barry Murphy; Owen Heary (captain), Ger O'Brien, Liam Burns, Aiden Price; Mark Rossiter, Christopher Forrester (Keith Buckley 68), Robert Bayly (Steven Hurley 88), Killain Brennan; Anto Flood (Stephen Traynor 75), Chris Fagan.
Subs Not Used: Gary Burke, Ollie Cahill, Kevin Feely, Craig Sexton.
Bookings: K Brennan (80).
Drogheda United: Steven Trimble; Robbie Clarke, Philip Hand, Alan McNally, Victor Ekanmen (Gavin Brennan 65); Stephen Quigley (captain), Colin O'Brien, Brian Gannon, Tiarnan Mulvenna (Darragh Hanaphy 76); Daniel Corcoran, David Freeman (Stephen McCrossan 65).
Subs Not Used: Aaron Shanahan, Darragh McNamara, Mark Nolan, Robbie Gaul.
Bookings: Mulvenna (73).
Referee: Rob Rogers
Attendance: 1,135
Extratime.ie Man of the match: Stephen Trimble (Drogheda United).