Bohemians 4 - 0 Drogheda United

• P.J. Murray
• Sat, Oct 10 2009


Bohemians put their title defence back on track with a convincing demolition of lowly Drogheda United. Pat Fenlon's side put their Drogheda hoodoo to rest and sent out a strong warning to Shamrock Rovers that the title race was far from over.

A three minute double salvo in the first half effectively ended the game as a contest. Jason Byrne latching on to a defensive howler before Ndo made Williams pay for poor goalkeeping. Connor Powell got his first Bohs goal in the second half with a beautiful solo effort before second half sub capped off a great night for the Gypsies with a last minute strike.

It was the home side who dominated the game in the first half, Killian Brennan dominating the right wing, however his crosses were dealt with easily by Conor Kenna and Alan McNally.

The first real chance of the game fell to the visitors on nine minutes as Brian Shelly took too much time on the ball around his own box and was dispossessed by Brendan McGill who laid off to Brian King and the midfielder sent in a low ball that was hit toward the goal by Jamie Duffy, but a combination of Brian Murphy and a Bohs defender managed to keep the ball out. The rebound fell to James Chambers who dragged his shot wide.

Brennan had the home side's first chance on 15 minutes. After some intense Bohs pressure Brennan saw an opportunity from 20 yards out to hit a strike, which luckily for Steve Williams was straight at him and the Welsh 'keeper managed to parry it behind.

Bohemians then took the lead on 27 minutes due to some lax defending by the Drogheda rearguard and miscommunication between defence and goalkeeper as Kenna left a pass to Williams go short allowing Jason Byrne to steal in and smash a daisy-cutter under the advancing keeper and into the net.

They quickly doubled their lead moments later, Brennan sending in a pin point corner which was dropped by Williams as Byrne managed to unsettle the shot stopper and Joseph Ndo, from five yards out, headed the ball off the underside of the cross bar and in.

From then on it was all Bohemians, Keegan and Brennan controlling the middle of the park with Byrne always lurking, on the hunt for his second.

Drogheda did manage to get the odd shot on target, Ross Gaynor popping up on the left wing from a long clearance and his effort was grasped at the second time of asking by Brian Murphy.

Bohs played with a certain finesse afforded them by their reigning champions status but their final balls were somewhat lacking as they were guilty of squandering several chances.

The second half saw much of the same with Powell getting his first ever Bohs goal on 53 minutes, a break from Brennan unleashed the defender just on the half way line and a jinking solo run and look up saw Williams off his line and he hit a deft chip that floated over the floundering Williams and into the top corner to send the home fans into rapturous celebration.

Williams did make some amends for his blunders with several fine saves from Neale Fenn and Paddy Madden strikes but it did little to bolster the travelling fans who had to sit back and watch why Bohs are one of the top sides in the country.

Fan favourite Glenn Crowe wrapped up the game in the 93rd minute as Drogheda once again went awol allowing Crowe blast past Williams from close range.

More worrying for the Drogheda fans is the fact that Bray recorded a somewhat shock win over Cork City which moves them into striking distance once again and blows the relegation race wide open. Pat Fenlon can rest easy knowing that, despite the fact his side are still in second, they look sharp and on form and their demolition of Drogheda will certainly leave Rovers with a few thoughts as they host the Boynesiders next week.

Bohemians: Brian Murphy, Owen Heary, Conor Powell, Glenn Cronin, Brian Shelley; Ken Oman, Paul Keegan, Joseph Ndo, Killian Brennan (Anto Murphy 74 mins); Paddy Madden (Glen Crowe 80 mins), Jason Byrne (Neale Fenn 67 mins).
Subs not used: Matt Gregg, Sean Byrne. Booked: Brennan.

Drogheda United: Steve Williams; Scott Gibb (Ian Ryan 80 mins), Robbie Clarke, Conor Kenna, Alan McNally; Paul Crowley, Brendan McGill, Brian King (Guy Bates 60 mins), Jamie Duffy; James Chambers (Paul Shiels 67 mins), Ross Gaynor.
Subs not used: Paul Skinner, Eric McGill.

Extratime Man of the Match: Jason Byrne, the striker was at the heart of the majority of Bohs moves and his goal had a real poacher quality about it.

Referee: Richie Winter.