Bohemians 1 - 0 UCD

There was to be no European hangover for Bohemians in Dalymount Park on Sunday, as a first half Evan McMillan header was enough to give Aaron Callaghan’s men all three points in what was a scrappy game.

Having seen his side lose 5-1 away in Iceland on Thursday night, Callaghan made eight changes to his starting eleven as he rested many of his regulars.

It took seven minutes for the first shot on target of the game to be registered. Good work from Michael Barker in the middle released Karl Moore down the Bohemians right only for the former UCD midfielder to aim his effort straight at Mark McGinley.

UCD combined well in the 17^th minute, with Robbie Benson playing a neat one-two with Chris Lyons at the edge of the box, but his right footed shot didn’t trouble Craig Sexton as he watched the ball sail high and wide of his goal.

Bohemians were growing in confidence though and again tested McGinley in the 23^rd minute. This time Dwayne Wilson spinning on the edge of the box before seeing his effort tipped around the right hand post by the Students’ netminder.

Having had such little success with corners this season, you could have been forgiven for not expecting the home side to score from the resulting corner, but score they did. Ryan McEvoy whipped the ball in from the right hand corner, and Evan McMillan rose highest  to head the ball into the UCD net and give the Gypsies a deserved lead.

Not prepared to rest on their laurels, Bohemians almost doubled their lead two minutes later. Moore stung the McGinley’s hands with a rasping shot  that was too hot to handle. Dwayne Wilson was quickest to react, but the assistant’s flag brought the attack to a halt.

By now the home side were well on top but they still only lead by the slenderest of margins. They were almost reminded how fragile a one nil lead can be in the 38^th minute. A UCD corner from the right came loose inside the box, before Hugh Douglas tried to back heel the ball into the net. His effort was blocked and fell to Daniel Ledwith at the edge of the area who, under considerable pressure fired wide.

There was to be one more effort of note in the first half, and a fine effort it would be. Andy Mulligan twisted and turned on the left before beating his man and cutting in on his right. He bore down on goal with great purpose, only to see his subsequent effort tipped over the bar.

The second half was to be as sloppy as the first, with many misplaced passes and poor touches.

Twelve minutes into the second half, Dwayne Wilson almost profited from some of this poor play as UCD were caught in possession. His attempted lob however was comfortably saved by the back-peddling McGinley.

Moore was to again test the UCD shot-stopper in the 66^th minute, however his low shot was too close to the UCD keeper after he had been released by the bright Mulligan.

Only on the pitch a mere three minutes, Keith Ward almost produced a moment of magic. A breath-taking chip from the edge of the box again had McGinley backpedalling, but again he was equal to it as he tipped it over the bar.

Another substitute was to make an immediate effort for Bohemians, but not in a way that Callaghan will have hoped for. Dave Scully, was sprung from the bench in the 71^st minute, but his participation was short lived as an off the ball altercation with UCD’s David O’Connor was spotted by the linesman and he was given his marching orders. Amazingly this was his third red card of the season having been dismissed against Cork City and St Pats already.  

UCD were unable to make the extra man count however, and despite a 90^th minute goal scramble in the Bohs box they will have to make the short journey back to Belfield empty handed.

So it was to be Evan who would have the bragging rights at the McMillan dinner table, while Martin Russell will have his keeper to thank for keeping the scoreline down as he sees his team remain at the bottom of the table.

Next up for UCD is a home time against St Patricks Athletic, while Bohemians will enjoy a week off next week due to Monaghan’s withdrawal from the league.

Bohemians: Craig Sexton; Derek Pender, Evan McMillan (c), Kevin Feely, Michael Barker; Karl Moore, Ryan McEvoy (Keith Ward 69), Andy Mulligan (Dave Scully 70), Roberto Lopes; Steven Traynor (Adam Martin 28), Dwayne Wilson.

Subs not used: Greg Murray (gk), Owen Heary, Keith Buckley, John O’Connor.

Booked: Martin (34)

Sent off: Scully (75)

UCD: Mark McGinley; Hugh Douglas, David O’Connor, Michael Leahy (c); Daniel Ledwith; Paul Corry, Paul O’Conor, Ciaran Nangle (Tyrone McNelis 70); Chris Lyons, David McMillan (Samir Belhout 64), Robert Benson.

Subs not used: John Kelly (gk), Gary Burke, James Kavanagh, Barry McCabe, Dean Clarke.

Booked: Corry (75).

Referee: Padraigh Sutton.

Attendance: 799

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Andy Mulligan (Bohemians).