- David Wilson
- Tue, Feb 25 2020
David Wilson reports from Dalymount Park
A goal from Danny Mandroiu and a 90th minute strike from ex-Sligo Rovers man Kris Twardek secured three points for Bohemians as they made it two wins from three after seeing off the Bit O’Red on Monday evening.
Sligo will feel hard done by after a spirited performance maybe could have seen the Bit O’Red secure a valuable away point.
Bohemians who were back on home soil after a solid away win in the RSC against Waterford on Friday night made four changes to their starting line-up with Paddy Kirk, Ciaran Kelly, Conor Levingston and Luke Wade-Slater all coming into Keith Long’s starting eleven.
Sligo made just two changes with Ronan Murray and John Dunleavy replaced by Jesse Devers and new signing Alex Cooper.
But, with just nine minutes in – a long ball down the line from Michael Barker saw Sligo central defender Kyle Callan-McFadden let the ball bounce over his head allowing the nippy Glen McAuley in down the right.
The ex-Liverpool striker looked to square for Luke Wade-Slater, but the attempted pass was only half cleared by Niall Morahan straight to the on-rushing Danny Mandroiu who tapped home from eight yards out.
It was a nightmare start for Rovers as Bohs looked bright with Mandroiu and McAuley linking up excellently well.
If there was ever a half of two halves the first half reflected it in Dalymount. Bohs were the better side for the opening 20 or so minutes, however it was Sligo who looked the more comfortable of the two sides playing some decent stuff at times on a pitch that didn’t aid expansive football.
The home side took their foot off the gas. To their credit Sligo grew into the game as Gary Buckley, David Cawley and Alex Cooper began to dictate possession, Cooper a former Scottish underage prodigy showed some quality down the left.
It took 34 minutes for the Bit O’Red to produce some attacking quality. A cross from the right from Niall Morahan was cleared to the far flank to Cooper who whipped a delicious cross right to the head of Coughlan who directed his header just over Stephen McGuiness crossbar.
The second half began with the away side pressing forward in search of an equaliser. Cawley who displayed his excellent passing ability tried to find Darragh Noone and Devers, but it was Gary Buckley who looked dangerous in the no.10 position.
Ronan Coughlan held the ball up well and showed some quality but at times he cut a lost figure as support was slow in getting up to the frontman.
Cawley again tested the fingertips of Stephen McGuinness until the 55th minute when Bohs seemed to awake from their slumber.
Wade-Slater went down in the box under a challenge from Morahan, but referee ben Connolly waved away home protestations for a penalty.
The game now found its groove as both teams poured forward. The dangerous Mandroiu saw his effort saved by the impressive Ed McGinty, the ball spilled out to McAuley whose effort looked destined for the net until a magnificent goal-line clearance from skipper Callan-McFadden.
Rovers continued to play some decent football, however they lacked guile and creativity in the final third.
McAuley rattled the post after a through ball from Ross Tierney who was impressive when he came on in the 64th minute.
Ronan Murray was introduced as Liam Buckley searched for that attacking spark, he latched onto an excellent flick-on from the superb Cawley, but his curled effort flew over the bar.
The game was finally settled, when Wade-Slater glided by the Rovers defenders, his cross found Twardek who neatly finished beyond McGinty securing the points for Keith Long’s men.
Bohemians: Stephen McGuinness; Michael Barker, Dan Casey, Ciaran Kelly, Paddy Kirk; Conor Levingston, Keith Buckley (Ross Tierney 60); Luke Wade-Slater, Danny Mandroiu, Kris Twardek (Dawson Devoy 92); Glen McAuley (Danny Grant 70)
Subs not Used: Jamie Cleary (GK), Andy Lyons, JJ Lunney, Andre Wright
Yellow Card: Kris Twardek (54), Luke Wade-Slater (88)
Red Card: None.
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Niall Morahan, Kyle Callan-McFadden (C), Teemu Penninkangas, Alex Cooper; David Cawley, Will Seymore; Jesse Devers (Ronan Murray 72), Gary Buckley, Darragh Noone (Mark Byrne 86); Ronan Coughlan,
Subs not Used: Luke McNicholas (GK), John Russell, Mark Byrne, Ronan Murray, Scott Lynch, Regan Donelon, Darren Collins
Yellow Card: Gary Buckley (25), Jesse Devers (67), Will Seymore (78), David Cawley (80)
Red Card: None.
Referee: Ben Connolly.
Attendance: 2859.
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Conor Levingston (Bohemians).
