Drogheda United 2-4 Bohemians

• Frankie Lally
• Sat, Mar 20 2010


Bohemians maintained their 100% league record after a pulsating 4-2 victory over Drogheda United at Hunky Dory Park on Friday night.

Goals from Gareth McGlynn, Paddy Madden and a brace from Jason Byrne did enough to bring all three points back to the north side of Dublin.

The first half was a rather dull affair and only really came to life in the 32nd minute when Jason Byrne headed home Paul Keegan’s in- swinging free-kick from the left-wing to give Bohs a marginally deserved lead.

However the second half was dramatic and action packed. The game turned on its head when, against the run of play, Paul Crowley equalised for Drogheda with a tap-in at the far post.

Then 11 minutes later Drogheda went into a controversial and shock lead. Referee Neil Doyle awarded the home side a penalty despite his linesman flagging for a free-kick to Bohemians.

After several minutes of furious Bohs protests the referee consulted with his linesman and decided to stick with his decision to give the penalty, which Joe Kendrick dually dispatched.

Kendrick was then sent off just 10 minutes later for a second yellow card. It was a red card that Drogheda could have done without as Byrne pulled the visitors level a minute later after a sublime finish from an acute angle.

Then to rub salt in the wounds of the Drogheda fans they were reduced to nine men after John Flood saw a red after lashing out at an opponent.

Gareth McGlynn marked his first ever goal for Bohs in spectacular style by securing all three points for The Gypsies. The Donegal man jumped highest to header home Anto Murphy's cross from the right-wing.

Substitute Paddy Madden then sealed all three points for Pat Fenlon’s men after a swift counter attack against the nine men of Drogheda resulted in a tap-in for the striker.

Drogheda will be disappointed not to have hung on after taking the lead and will feel they should have at least taken a point from the game.

Bohs on the other hand continue to grind out results without playing particularly well. We saw it in mid-week against UCD and we’ve seen it again tonight.

The win sees Bohs currently occupy second place in the table behind St Patrick’s Athletic who are top thanks to their superior goal difference. Both teams have opened up an 8 point lead ahead of rivals Shamrock Rovers who are not in action until Sunday evening.

Drogheda United: Paul Skinner, Paul Crowley, Jamie Duffy, Jamie Harris, Joe Kendrick, Alan McNally, Brian King, Brendan McGill, Gareth O’Connor, Glen Fitzpatrick, John Flood
Subs: Ryan Brennan, Ryan Brennan, Robbie Martin, Eric McGill, Paul Murphy, Eoghan Osbourne

Bohemians: Chris O'Connor, Mark Rossiter , Conor Powell , Ken Oman. Owen Heary, Mark Quigley, Gareth McGlynn, Paul Keegan, Glenn Cronin, Killian Brennan, Jason Byrne
Subs: Barry Murphy, Ruadhri Higgins, Anto Murphy, Paddy Madden, Raffael Cretaro

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Jason Byrne

Referee: N. Doyle