- Patrick O'Connor
- Sat, Jul 29 2023
Patrick O Connor reports from Dalymount Park
Bohemians consolidated their position as a top four side with a hard earned 2-0 win over a very stubborn UCD side at Dalymount Park on Friday night.
This was Bohemians' game in hand, and they took full advantage of it by taking all three points and putting themselves front and centre in the race for one of the top four positions in the league table.
All the other top four sides were not in action last night due to European competition involvement, so these three points separates them from their nearest rival Dundalk and takes them to within five points of leaders Shamrock Rovers.
UCD have caused trouble for all the top four sides this season, despite their lowly position at the bottom of the league table, and they certainly made life difficult for Bohs last night and it was well into the second half before their resistance was broken.
Bohs were very dominant from the first whistle and created numerous half chances with right winger Dylan Connolly in particular giving UCD left back Jesse Dempsey a torrid time.
In form striker Jonathon Afolabi was at the end of most of Connolly’s incisive play but he was unable to finish any of his crosses in the first half.
The students did achieve parity in the closing stages of the first half with Sean Brennan a real live wire and influential force in midfield and they caused a few nervous moments with a few breakaway attacks before the half time whistle.
Declan Devine’s side continued as they left off in the second half, but it still took them 75 minutes before they finally made the breakthrough.
The returning Danny Grant, who got a great reception from the home followers when introduced as a second half substitute, was instrumental in breaking the deadlock.
His close control in the box drew a foul from a UCD defender and Afolabi confidently put the resultant penalty past Lorcan Healy to make it 1 -0 to the home side.
Bohs always looked the more likely to get another goal and although it was very late in the match when it did arrive, it was no surprise when new fans favourite Afolabi was the key figure involved.
Cian Byrne played a long ball over the top and Afolabi outpaced Jack Keaney and slid the ball home on his weaker left foot to make it 2-0.
The two-goal margin was a fair reflection of the gap between the two sides on the night, and it sees UCD still adrift at the base of the table while Bohemians recent upsurge in form continues and sets them up nicely for another home match against Drogheda next weekend.
Bohemian FC: James Talbot, Paddy Kirk (Bartlomiej Kukolowicz 67), Cian Byrne, Kacper Radkowski, Jordan Flores, Keith Buckley, James McManus (Ali Coote 67), Dylan Connolly, James Clarke (Adam McDonnell 88) Jonathan Afolabi, James Akintunde (Danny Grant 56)
Subs not used: Andrew Stuart Taylor (GK); Louis Holzman, John O Sullivan, Kris Twardek, Nickson Okosun.
Booked: None
UCD: Lorcan Healy, Michael Gallagher, Adam Wells, Jack Keaney, Brendan Barr, Mike Raggett (Jake Doyle 72), Jesse Dempsey (Evan Osam 60), Daniel Norris (Danu Kinsella Bishop 72), Dara Keane, Sean Brennan, Adam Vernon (Donal Higgins 84).
Subs not used: Kian Moore (GK); Luke O Regan, Ryan Bowden, Ciaran Bolton, Harry Curtis.
Booked: Jesse Dempsey (18), Adam Wells (77)
Referee: Kevin O’ Sullivan
Attendance: 4,039
Extratime.com Player of the Match: Jonathon Afolabi (Bohemians)
