- Sam McKeever
- Fri, Jun 14 2019
Sam McKeever reports from Dalymount Park.
Keith Long’s men made it seven wins from the last eight league meetings against Shamrock Rovers as a Danny Mandroiu thunderbolt gave Bohemians the Dublin bragging right in a 2-1 win over The Hoops.
The first real attack was made by The Hoops. Good work by former Bohemians man Dylan Watts in the box opened up space for the cut-back before finding Greg Bolger on the edge of the box with the former Cork City midfielder scuffing his chance just past the post
Keith Long’s side were awarded a penalty on the 15 minute mark. Defender Michael Barker was brought down by Jack Byrne in the box and referee Rob Rogers made his mind up instantly pointing to the spot. Former Brighton man Dan Mandroiu stepped up with Alan Mannus equal to the spot kick diving to his left.
A minute later and Rovers were unlucky not to be in front. The corner from Jack Byrne was floated into the back post finding the head of Dan Carr whose header had beaten James Talbot but young defender Andy Lyons was there to clear off the line in the vital moment to divert the ball away for a corner.
The home side did not let their heads drop after the penalty miss by Mandroiu and were awarded another penalty after Greg Bolger rashly took down Ryan Swan in the box. Mandroiu had the confidence to step up again and this time he side footed into the bottom right hand corner sending Mannus the wrong way and giving Keith Long’s side the lead.
Rovers tried to respond and should have been level nine minutes before half time. Aaron Greene’s strike was parried out by Talbot to the edge of the six yard box before Watts came in trying to tap the rebound but before the former Bohs man can tap the ball in Talbot once again got up to get his hand on it to put it past the post.
Stephen Bradley’s side made it 1-1 just six minutes into the second half. Aaron Green battled well to head the ball down to find Ronan Finn whose lovely flick over the top found the run of Dan Carr who slid in to guide the ball off the post and into James Talbot’s net.
Bohemians were back in front on the hour mark. Former Stevenage winger Luke-Wade Slater nodded the ball down for Dan Mandroiu who then had the confidence to unleash a fantastic strike with his left foot from 30 yards out which flew past Mannus who had no chance in the Rovers goal sending the home crowds into raptures in the process
Rovers pressed on for another equalizer a deep cross to the back post by Jack Byrne found Carr who pulled the ball back to Ethan Boyle with the defender’s effort sailing over the bar from close range.
Keith Long’s men could have made it 3-1 just a few minutes later. Keith Buckley’s clever chipped pass found the run of Luke-Wade Slater who effort looked like it was going to roll into the net before Lee Grace got back just in time to clear the danger.
Bohemians three minutes from time thought they had sealed the victory. Lyons fantastic cross found the head of Mandroiu with Mannus saving brilliantly to deny the midfielders hat-trick. Keith Ward then put the ball back into the box before Ryan Swan swivelled effort was stopped on the line by Lopes, next it was Ward to have his bite of the Cherry with Lopes there again to deflect the ball onto the bar before Lee Grace cleared to safety
Stephen Bradley’s side pressed for an equalizer with the eight minutes added on but could not create that one big chance they needed with the Bohemians defence holding firm sealing the third win over The Hoops this season taking maximum points from the Derby this season.
Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus; Ethan Boyle, Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace, Greg Bolger; Dylan Watts, Ronan Finn, Dan Carr, Trevor Clarke(Sean Kavanagh 61); Aaron Greene, Jack Byrne
Subs not used: Leon Pohls, James Furlong, Joel Coustrain, Thomas Oluwa, Brandon Kavanagh, Orhan Vojic
Bookings: Lee Grace (30)
Bohemians: James Talbot; Aaron Barry, Danny Mandroiu, Kevin Devaney(Keith Ward 55), Conor Levinston(Scott Allardice 45); Keith Buckley(Robbie McCourt 91), Andy Lyons, Paddy Kirk; Michael Barker, Ryan Swan, Luke Wade-Slater
Subs not used: Sean Bohan, Sam Byrne, Ryan Graydon, Ross Tierney
Bookings: (Michael Barker 68)
Referee: Rob Rogers
Man of the Match: Danny Mandroiu
Attendance: 3,594 (sold out)
