UCD 1-2 Bohemians

• Brendan White
• Wed, Mar 17 2010


Bohemians came from behind to record a 2-1 victory against a battling UCD side on Tuesday night. Substitutes’ Jason Byrne and Raf Cretaro turned the game on its head in the final ten minutes with a quick fire double to send Pat Fenlon’s men home happy.

UCD made things difficult for Bohs as they packed their midfield in a 4-5-1 formation which prevented Paul Keegan and Glenn Cronin from controlling the game early on. In the end, a physically stronger Bohs team had too much for a young UCD team. To UCD's credit, they worked hard but are lacking a player to control the game in midfield after losing Ronan Finn in the close season.

The opening chance of the game fell to Bohemians after just five minutes. Paddy Madden flicked onto Glenn Cronin, and his low strike went just wide of Billy Brennan’s post. Conor Powell was next to threaten but his run from last back was quickly shut out by Brennan in the UCD goal.

Bohs kept up the attacks with Mark Quigley next to try his look after Owen Heary’s 25 yard strike was headed over by Evan McMillan, but his shot was easily saved.

Bohs should have opened the scoring on 42 minutes from a Paul Keegan corner. Owen Heary rose highest to head but his effort was cleared off the line by Stephen Roche.

UCD took the lead 11 minutes into the second half. Chris Mulhall‘s through ball found Ciaran Kilduff who was upended by Bohs keeper Chris O’Connor. Greg Bolger stepped up to drive the ball down the middle of the goal with O’Connor diving to his right.

The game changed on 68 minutes when UCD were reduced to ten men. Greg Bolger, booked in the first half for dissent, was shown a second yellow card and Bohs duly took advantage.

Gareth McGlynn should have levelled the score on 74 minutes. McGlynn met Killian Brennan’s left wing cross at the back post but somehow missed from five yards."

The equaliser arrived on 81 minutes. Jason Byrne played a superb one-two with Glenn Cronin on the edge of the box before rifling a first time shot into the top corner of Brennan’s goal.

Before UCD could react to the equaliser, they fell behind immediately. Raf Cretaro collected the ball straight from UCD’s kick off before firing a 30 yard drive screamer into the top corner to send the Bohs supporters wild.

The ten men of UCD had nothing in reply after Bohs double and fell to their first defeat of the season. For Bohs, six points from six is the start they needed if they are to retain the Premier Division title for a third year in succession.

U.C.D. Billy Brennan; Brian Shorthall (Michael Leahy 62’), Ciaran Nangle, Andy Boyle, Evan McMillan; Greg Bolger, Keith Ward (Robbie Creevey H/T), Stephen Roche, Chris Mulhall; Ciaran Kilduff, Graham Rusk (David McMillan 84’)
Subs not used: Shane Fitzgerald, Mark McGinley.

Bohemian FC Chris O’Connor; Owen Heary, Conor Powell, Brian Shelley (Anto Murphy 61’) , Stephen Gray (Jason Byrne 75’); Glen Cronin, Gareth McGlynn, Paul Keegan, Killian Brennan; Mark Quigley, Paddy Madden (Rafaelle Cretaro 59’)
Subs not used: Barry Murphy, Ruaidhri Higgins.

Referee: T. Connolly

Extratime Man of the Match: Paul Keegan