- Patrick O'Connor
- Sat, May 13 2023
Patrick O ‘Connor reports from Dalymount Park
Derry City moved into second place in the league table on Friday night after a narrow 1-0 win over ten-man Bohemians that puts them on the coat tails of new leaders Shamrock Rovers.
The Foylesiders certainly deserved their three points as they were made to show all their grit and determination in the second half while withstanding an onslaught from the depleted Bohs side.
This was the proverbial game of two halves, with Derry City totally in control in the first half, having the bulk of the possession after their opponents were reduced to ten men with Grant Horton’s red and scoring a great goal through Ryan Graydon soon after they got the numerical advantage.
The second half was a mirror image of the first but in fact it was the home side who had most of the possession, with Bohemians playing the game in Derry’s half and indeed making it look like they were the side with the numerical disadvantage.
It was during this period that the Candystripes really showed their fighting qualities as they retreated under the intense pressure from the Gypsies but did enough to hold on to take maximum points.
The key moment in the game arrived in the 14th minute, when a back tracking Bohs right back Horton chopped down Michael Duffy after he lost control of the ball and referee Paul McLaughlin having no hesitation flashing the red card.
Ruaidhri Higgins’s side then took immediate advantage of the sending off by scoring the game’s only goal two minutes later.
With Bohs in disarray with no right back, City worked the ball to left winger Duffy and his low drive across the box was met by the inrushing right winger Graydon who, against his former club, fired in past James Talbot for a great goal.
Declan Devine’s side were rocked by that sending off and conceded possession for the remainder of the half and seemed unable to put up any resistance even with their ten men.
City created numerous chances to extend their lead but failed to do so, possibly a worry for Higgins that they were unable to convert possession into more goals.
The Gypsies were a transformed side after half time however with two astute substitutions by Devine having a big impact.
Left back Paddy Kirk, who had a torrid time trying to mark Graydon, and an out of sorts Ali Coote were replaced by James Clarke and Kris Twardek. Jordan Flores slotted in at left back to deal with Graydon and Twardek took up his post on the right wing with Clarke playing through the middle.
Both players led the resurgence of Bohs with the Canadian Twardek in particular causing numerous problems with his crosses into the box. One effort in particular in the 57th minute almost created an opportunity for Jonathon Afolabi but the centre forward was unable to sort his feet and Derry keeper Brian Maher was able to gather the ball.
The home team continued to take the fight to the Candystripes but the closest they came to grabbing an equaliser was an 81st minute free kick from Declan McDaid which grazed the cross bar before being scrambled clear by Ben Doherty.
Both teams now face an inform fourth placed Dundalk in their next matches, with the County Louth side travelling to Derry for a Monday night fixture and then hosting Bohemians next Friday night.
Bohemian: James Talbot, Grant Horton, Krystian Nowak, Kacper Radkowski, Paddy Kirk (Kris Twardek 46), Ali Coote (James Clarke 46), Adam McDonnell, Keith Buckley, Jordan Flores, Dylan Connolly (Dean Williams 70) Jonathan Afolabi (Declan McDaid 75).
Subs not used: Luke Dennison, Drew Baker, Jay Benn, James McManus, John O Sullivan.
Booked: Paddy Kirk (1), Keith Buckley (88).
Red Card:Grant Horton (14)
Derry City: Brian Maher; Ciaran Coll, Shane McEleney, Cameron McJannet, Ben Doherty; Sadou Diallo (Cameron Dummigan 79), Ryan Graydon (Ronan Boyce 79), Oliver O'Neill (Brandon Kavanagh 64), Will Patching (Jordan McNeff 70), Adam O'Reilly, Michael Duffy.
Subs not used: Tadhg Ryan, Liam Mullan, Sean Patton, Matthew Ward, Jamie McGonigle, Cian Kavanagh.
Booked: Cameron Dummigan (91)
Referee: Paul McLoughlin
Attendance: 4, 293
Extratime.com Player of the Match: Michael Duffy (Derry City)
