Drogheda United -v- Bohemians

• Simon Carter
• Fri, Jul 31 2009


Bohemians can open an eight-point gap at the top of the League of Ireland Premier Division, if only for a day, if they beat a recently resurgent Drogheda United on Friday evening.

Last weekend saw Bohs play out a scoreless draw at home to Shamrock Rovers and maintain a five-point gap at the top of the table, while Drogheda lost 4-2 to Dundalk.

Drogheda manager Alan Mathews will be without the services of several players for this clash. Robbie Martin (back), Paul Crowley (calf) are out while Eoghan Osborne is expected to be a long term absentee after being stretchered off last week. The youngster has damaged ligaments in his ankles.

Scott Gibb is suspended after receiving two yellow cards last week on his debut. Robbie Farrell is only recovering from his recent knee operation.

Mathews sees the match as a chance to see what his team is made of against top opposition.

"Bohemians are the reigning champions and are setting the benchmark once again this season. We look forward to these big games as it is a chance to test ourselves. We need to put in a good performance after recent results. And this will be a good chance for us to up our game.”

Bohemians have a few injury concerns ahead of the game. Owen Heary has returned to training but may not be fit enough in time. Jason McGuinness is struggling with a back injury but manager Pat Fenlon expects him to be fit.

“It’s going to be a tough game for us,” Fenlon said. “The Rovers game looked after itself and we were up for that, so I think it’s more about the players' attitude going into this game.”

Fenlon is not going to take Drogheda for granted. “They’ve given us two tough games already this season and we were lucky to win both of them. It’s going to be tough.”

Drogheda have beaten Cork City, St Pats and Derry City this season and, although second from bottom in the table, they are only six points away from sixth place.

Bohs have collected 19 points from their 10 away games, scoring 14 goals and conceding nine. They have beaten Drogheda twice this season, 1-0 on both occasions.

Extratime.ie Prediction:

Bohemians to win 2-1