Longford Town 1 - 3 Bohemians

• Deniese O'Flaherty
• Sat, Aug 27 2011




Bohemians came from behind to book their place in the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup with a fine 3-1 win away to First Division side Longford Town.

Town took an early lead through Craig Walsh but unfortunately their inability to add to that goal cost them and Bohs were back on level terms just before the break through Aidan Downes. It was disaster for Longford just after the break when defender Chris Deans scored into his own net for the second year in a row. Nine minutes from time Killian Brennan wrapped up the win with a stunning strike.

Bohs started well and Town keeper Alvin Rouse was called into action early in the game. Killian Brennan whipped in a free from the left. It was cleared by a Longford defender but fell to Anto Flood and his effort was saved by the feet of Rouse.

The visitors looked good from set pieces and another free from Brennan in the 11th minute had to be cleared away by Town defender Chris Deans.

Ex Shamrock Rovers starlet Don Cowan caused the Bohs defence a few problems in the opening exchanges but it was another ex-Hoop who broke the deadlock for the Town in the 13th minute. Craig Walsh got onto the end of Cathal Brady's pinpoint cross and made no mistake from close range.

Town were buoyed up by that goal. Brady again was the provider; he played a neat ball into Thomas Crawley but the youngster lost his footing when he was about to shoot.

It was a real cup tie; full of entertainment with some nice football played by both sides. Rouse had to make another save in the 30th minute. A short corner was played between Aidan Downes and Killian Brennan with the latter finding space and time to take a shot but the Town netminder made a fine save.

Four minutes later and Bohs were back on level terms when Downes punished some ball-watching by the Town defence to volley home. The pace of the game died down a little after the equaliser with neither side creating any chances.

Bohs started the second half well. Anto Flood showed some nice footwork and skills to make room for himself to take a shot but his effort was saved by Rouse and out for a corner. From that corner Bohs took the lead; Deans tried to clear the danger but put the ball into his own net.

Town had chances to get back into the game with substitute Austin Skelly coming close in the 77th minute but his low drive just went inches wide.

The game was over as a contest in the 81st minute when man of the match Killian Brennan got Bohs’ third goal; unleashing a fine strike from about 25 yards out which flew past Town keeper Rouse.

Longford Town: Alviin Rouse; Graham Dowling, Chris Deans, Des Hope, Gary Cronin; Cathal Brady, Craig Walsh (Mike Lee, 64), Thomas Hyland, Mark Salmon, Thomas Crawley (Austin Skelly, 49); Don Cowan (Daniel Purdy 76).
Subs not used: Jeff Flood, James O’Brien, Jean Biansumba, Paul Hunt.
Bookings: A Skelly (67).

Bohemians: Craig Sexton; Owen Heary, Aiden Price (Mark Rossiter, 46), Liam Burns, Ollie Cahill; Ger O’Brien, Glenn Cronin (Keith Buckley, 85), Stephen Hurley, Killian Brennan; Anto Flood, Aidan Downes (Christy Fagan 74).
Subs not used: Craig Forrester, Stephen Traynor, Kevin Feely, Dean Brady.
Bookings: Flood (25), G O’Brien (67)

Referee: Richie Winter (Wicklow).
Attendance: 700 (estimate).
extratime.ie Man of the Match: Killian Brennan.