- Philip Morrissey
- Sat, Feb 18 2023
A goal in each half from Grant Horton and Jordan Flores gave Bohemians all three points at Turner’s Cross spoiling Cork City’s return to the top flight.
It was a game Bohs largely controlled but they had to hang on in a frantic finish after a James Talbot error gave City a goal back. Declan Devine will be happy to see his new faces win although he will have some worries after an injury to James Akintunde.
It was a reality lesson for last year’s First Division champions. They failed to get to grips with the power and speed of their opponents for much of the encounter after debutante keeper Tobi Oluwayemi gifted the visitors a two goal lead. Only in the final stretch did they show their potential as they chased a point.
Cork City introduced some of the new faces bought into the club. Tobi Oluwayemi, Tunde Olowabi, Albin Winbo, and Kevin Custovic all made their debut for the club. Colin Healy went with a 3-5-2 shape after employing it during pre-season.
Bohs also brought in a number of new signings. Patrick Kirk, Grant Horton, Dylan Connolly, James Akintunde, Kasper Radowski, and Adam McDonnell all come in to a new-look Gyspies side.
There was a lot of excitement in the air as the capacity crowd welcomed both sides onto the field. The Leesiders did have one or two early half-chances from crosses as Ruairi Keating and Tunde Owolabi aimed to get off the ground. Both came to nothing though.
The duo combined again after Keating won the ball back in tackle and tried to play in his partner. It was blocked out for a corner. The referee spotted an infringement and blew for a free out as it was swung over.
It was the away side who were developing a strangle-hold on the game though. They packed the midfield whenever they had the ball and got it forward quickly to their dangermen. Oluwayemi was forced to come out of his goal to head it away from Jonathon Afolabi and then to tip it over the bar as Alistair Coote’s header threatened to dip over him.
It was not a surprise when they went in front. The City defence failed to clear it effectively allowing the away side to regain possession after a set piece. It found its way to Coote from Afolabi and he stood up a cross for the un-marked Grant Horton to head home at the back-post.
The away fans were delighted, and Healy left frustrated. It could have been two shortly after when they won the ball in their own half. Afolabi was ruled to have fouled Ally Gilchrist when they had a man advantage.
The best chance that City were able to create came when Keating retrieved the ball outside his own area and burst forward. He played the ball out wide to Kevin Custovic. He was too slow in making a decision to pass and the Bohs defence were able to clear it away. A late corner came to nothing as the away side went into the break in the lead.
It could have been two just after the break as they kept up their pressure. Keith Buckley put in an excellent cross for the un-marked Akintunde at the back post. He only managed to steer his header wide. It got worse for the striker as he seemed went down with an injury and had to be substituted.
It was worse for the debutant goalkeeper for City though. Jordan Flores took a shot from just outside the area as Bohs kept up the pressure. The goalkeeper could blame being unsighted, but he seemed to dive in the wrong direction.
The Leesiders tried to get back into the game as Cian Bargary got more room down the left-hand side. The first attempt had too much on it but the second forced Buckley into clearing it out before Keating could pounce. They were still finding it hard to really test James Talbot in the away goal though.
He was at fault for the goal that gave City a lifeline. It was a simple ball over the top in the direction of Keating which he came out of his box to clear away. He got the ball stuck under his feet allowing the striker to rob him and slot it into an empty net.
It was all or nothing as the game approached the final minutes. City had the greater urgency as they tried to salvage a point. Substitute Daniel Krezic had an opportunity to settle himself as a free kick was launched in his direction. His header went wide though.
Kirk was forced to clear another header off his own line and Talbot narrowly held on to a header deep into injury time.
Disappointment upon the final whistle for the home supporters as they were left empty handed at the end. It gets no easier for Healy’s side as they travel to play last season’s runners-up, Derry City, next Friday night.
Bohemians will be heartened by how they held on at the end will face Dundalk at home on the same night.
Cork City: Tobi Oluwayemi; Cian Coleman, Ally Gilchrist, Josh Honohan; Cian Bargary, Aaron Bolger, Barry Coffey (Darragh Crowley 80), Kevin Custovic, Albin Winbo (Matt Healy 60); Ruairi Keating, Tunde Owolabi (Daniel Krezic 80).
Subs not used: Jimmy Corcoran, Gordon Walker, John O’ Donovan, Cian Murphy, Jonas Hakkinen, Joe O’ Brien-Withmarsh
Booked: Cian Bargary (86).
Bohemians: James Talbot; Grant Horton, Patrick Kirk, Kacper Radkowski; Keith Buckley, Dylan Connolly, Ali Coote (James Clarke 75), Jordan Flores, Adam McDonnell; Jonathan Afolabi (Dean Williams 75), James Akintunde (Declan McDaid 49).
Subs not used: Luke Dennison, James McManus, John O’ Sullivan, Andrew Baker, Kris Twardek, Cian Byrne.
Booked: Jordan Flores (45).
Referee: Robert Hennessy.
Attendance: 6,487
extratime.com Player of the Match: Jordan Flores (Bohemians)
