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Bohemians -v- Drogheda United
- P.J. Murray
- Fri, Oct 09 2009
Bohemians host Drogheda United on Friday night in what is a crunch game for both sides (kick off: 7.45pm). Reigning champions Bohemians recently saw their lead slashed and now find themselves trailing Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers and three points at Dalymount would keep them in contention and maybe put them back on the summit.
Drogheda are currently immersed in a three team relegation battle at the other end of the table. With St. Pat's losing at home to Sligo Rovers, they have now been drawn into a three way struggle and are only five points ahead of Drogheda.
Team News: Alan Mathews has a fully fit squad for Friday night’s game with only one exception. Striker Robbie Farrell is the manager's only injury concern. Pat Fenlon will have to plan without the services of the injured Jason McGuinness and Mark Rossiter, while Gary Deegan is suspended for the clash.
Managers Views: Pat Fenlon has issued a rallying call for fans to come out and support the club this Friday. He said:
"With the home games especially, we need to have big crowds and get behind the team, it always helps," the manager said. "When the Jodi Stand is full, it helps the team a lot. Over the last three home games, I really hope the supporters come out. It would be great to have a huge home support."
Despite Drogheda’s lower table position Fenlon isn’t taking the game for a guaranteed three-pointer: "People may look at it and say they are down the bottom of the table, but they've caused us just as much problems this year as anyone else both home and away, so we're not expecting any different."
Drogheda manager Alan Mathews is of the opinion, however, that all his side have to do is focus on their own performance.
“I don’t pay attention to how anyone else is doing, we have to focus on our own performance. The 1-0 loss to Bohemians was a long time ago and that won’t be playing on our minds at all.
"The fact that Bohs lost last week or that we only drew won’t have any bearing on this game. We will have to work hard, Bohemians are still the champions and it will be a big game for us.”
Recent Meetings:
The sides have clashed three times this season with Bohs winning twice and Drogheda holding out for a single draw. The games have been low scoring affairs with the Dublin side recording two 1-0 wins while neither side could be separated in the last encounter at United Park, it finished 1-1.
Late goals for Pat Fenlon saved them blushes as the first meeting at Dalymount saw Mark Hughes head home in the 94th minute to give all three points to the Gypsies while in the last meeting at United Park an extraordinary 96th minute goal saw Drogheda hearts broken as Bohs came from behind to steal a draw.
Extratime.ie prediction – Another rather entertaining, low scoring affair with Bohs shading it once again.
About P.J. Murray
P.J. generally covers Drogheda games at HD Park and can generally be found at any Dublin ground when of a loose end on a Friday night.