- Andrew Dempsey
- Sat, May 08 2021
Andrew Dempsey reports from Dalymount Park
Ali Coote’s double set Bohemians on their way to their first home league win of the season as they saw off Finn Harps by four goals to nil.
Coote netted a first-half brace for the hosts after Ross Tierney had given Keith Long’s side a 14th minute lead.
Captain Keith Buckley rounded off the win in second half injury time with a shot on the edge of the penalty area after a convincing performance from the hosts.
Coming into the game with just one win in their last four, Bohemians have endured a wretched opening round of fixtures in their 2021 campaign – a season that begun at Finn Park in March.
Harps ran out easy winners on that occasion – and have perhaps performed to a level that was expected of Bohs this season.
Ollie Horgan’s Finn Harps of course also came into the match having seen off local rivals Derry City last weekend.
It was their first win in four – and their first ever league victory in the Brandywell - and was a welcome boost for Horgan as he went into his 250th managing the Co. Donegal side at Dalymount.
Following their win at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Harps were unchanged, while Bohs opted for two alterations themselves after Monday’s late draw to Drogheda United.
And it was the hosts who started the game the better of the two, with Rory Feely causing some early concern for the visitors.
The Gypsies’ early dominance paid off in the 14th minute as Tierney poked home at the back post.
He found himself free after Liam Burt’s low cross fell into his path just inside the six-yard box as Harps coughed up an avoidable opener.
The visitor’s task grew even greater six minutes later as Coote opened his Bohemians account with a shot from just outside the penalty area.
The 22-year-old picked up on a pass from Feely before surging forward on a 30-yard run, before unleashing a strike past Mark McGinley into the back of the Harps net.
The best chance Harps could create in a dismal first-half was a block from Tunde Owolabi who caught James Talbot off-guard, but the ball went harmlessly wide.
As the half reached its conclusion, Bohs added a third to their tally as Coote cracked home again on the edge of the penalty area once more.
The Scot picked up on a loose ball after Mark Coyle’s clearance was charged down by Georgie Kelly – before he then rifled home with the aid of the post as the Gypsies took a 3-0 lead into the break.
Ollie Horgan’s men emerged from the half-time break with three changes, and that almost yielded its early reward – but Adam Foley could not convert.
Foley peeled off after some good play from Will Seymore – but the former Newry City striker could only pull his shot wide of goal, not troubling Talbot in the Bohs goal.
Barry McNamee then went close for the visitors, seeing his low curling strike batted away by Talbot – before Seymore then fires wide on the half-volley just after the half-hour mark.
However, the hosts woke from their slumber towards the latter stages of the half – with Tierney going close on the 70thminute, but he saw his shot crash off the bar.
Burt then forced McGinley into a strong save – but the former UCD netminder stood tall to deny the ex-Celtic youngster.
But Bohs were not finished late on as Buckley blasted home at the death to grab a fourth for his side who brought an end to their winless run of home league games this season.
Bohemians: James Talbot; Anto Breslin, Rob Cornwall, Rory Feely, James Finnerty; Keith Buckley (c), Liam Burt (Keith Ward 87), Ali Coote (Promise Omochere 80), Dawson Devoy, Ross Tierney (Robert Mahon 87); Georgie Kelly.
Subs not used: Bastien Hery, Ciaran Kelly, Conor Levingston, Andy Lyons, Stephen McGuinness, Tyreke Wilson.
Booked: Keith Ward (90).
Finn Harps: Mark McGinley; Stephen Folan (Ethan Boyle 46), Mark Russell, Kosovar Sadiki, David Webster (c); Mark Coyle (John Dunleavy 46), Barry McNamee (Mark Timlin 70), Karl O'Sullivan, Will Seymore; Adam Foley, Tunde Owolabi (Sean Boyd 46).
Subs not used: Jamie Browne, Shane McEleney, Luke McNicholas, Ryan Rainey.
Booked: Kosovar Sadiki (17) ,Tunde Owolabi (27) ,Ethan Boyle (60) Adam Foley (90).
Referee: Ray Matthews
ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Ali Coote (Bohemians).
