League Preview: Bohemians -v- Drogheda United

• Patrick O'Connor
• Fri, Jun 18 2021




BOHEMIANS

Bohemians were on a great run of victories until their last match against Derry City when they conceded a late goal to draw 1-1.

The Gypsies will look to return to winning ways when they entertain Drogheda Utd at Dalymount Park (kick-off 7.45pm).

Having scored freely against Finn Harps, Dundalk and Waterford, hitting the net 12 times while only conceding once, they came unstuck at the Brandywell and came away with just a point.

They had to wait until seven minutes from to score, a great effort from Ali Coote, but conceded a late equaliser when Marc Walshe netted in injury time.

The concession of that late goal meant that Bohemians remain in 5^th position on 21 points after playing 15 games of the 36- game campaign.

Speaking to the Bohemians media team during the week, Rob Cornwall referenced the concession of that late goal against Derry.

“It is hard to put your finger on why that has happened four or five time this season. We know we have to be better than that,” said the defender.

“The performances are definitely there. We have to trust in ourselves more and believe in our game plan, but we have to cut out those errors.

“We have a young team – I am one of the oldest at 26 – but we need to learn and adapt quickly. We are halfway through the season now and gelling well but we have to cut out those mistakes.”

The Europa Conference League draw at the start of the week pitted Bohs against Icelandic side Stjarnan next month but Cornwall is not thinking that far ahead.

He said: “I know it’s a cliché to say we are only looking at our next game but it’s the truth. We have a busy few weeks and we want to move up the table – we can’t afford to be looking too far ahead ‘’

Bastien Héry returns from a calf issue and Conor Levingston after he had wisdom teeth, but Promise Omochere remains sidelined with a quad issue.

DROGHEDA UTD

Drogheda Utd have been the real surprise packet of the 2021 season, having come up from the First Division last season to now be sitting fourth in the league table on 25 points.

As well as that, they have the best goal difference record in the Premier Division, having scored 29 goals and only conceded 14 in their 15 games to date.

They also have a wide spread of scorers in their squad with a total of 10 players contributing to those 29 goals, Chris Lyons and Mark Doyle leading the way with seven goals each.

In their last outing against league leaders Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds they recorded a well deserved 2-1 win with ex- Sligo player Chris Lyons producing two moments of magic.

The striker lobbed Sligo keeper Ed McGinty in the 9^th minute and scored a second with an excellent strike just past the hour.

“We were smart in how we worked and showed a lot of energy which resulted in getting two great goals with Chris,” said manager Tim Clancy.

“We defended pretty well for the whole game and then to concede from a set piece right at the end was disappointing.

“We have had a whole week of preparation to go into this one in Dalymount and we know it’s going to be very difficult.

“We are hoping we can give a better account of ourselves this time, having only drawn at home against Bohs at home in Head in the Game Park in Drogheda earlier in the season.”

Mark Hughes and Hugh Douglas continue their recovery from injury, and Brandon Bermingham is a doubt, but Jordan Adeyemo and Luke Heeney are back following suspension.

Referee: Ben Connolly

MATCH STATS

The last clash between these two sides on May 3^rd resulted in a 1-1 draw, as James Clarke scored deep in injury time to secure a draw after Liam Burt had put Bohemians in front.

In the six previous games, Drogheda had only manged to beat Bohs on one occasion, a 1-0 win back in June 2015.

BETTING

Bohemians 5/6, Draw 5/2, Drogheda 3/1.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 2 – 1 Drogheda United

Bohemians

Injured: Promise Omochere (quad).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Drogheda United

Injured: Hugh Douglas, Mark Hughes.

Doubtful: Brandon Bermingham.

Suspended: None.