- Patrick O'Connor
- Sat, Sep 21 2024
Patrick O’ Connor reports from Dalymount Park
Bohemians’ opportunity to remove themselves from any conversations around relegation were dealt a hammer blow at Dalymount Park on Friday night when they lost 1-0 to Drogheda United who recorded their first away win of the season.
There are now only five points separating the two sides with Bohs having a game in hand which might yet prove crucial as we head into business end of the season.
Drogheda were more than deserving of the three points on the night and they now have put four points between themselves and basement side Dundalk at the bottom of the table.
The opening 45 minutes of the game was very evenly matched with both sides intent on attacking at every opportunity. Bohs utilised Danny Grant and Dayle Rooney on the wings as their main attacking threats while the Boynesiders went more direct and targeted their lone striker Frantz Pierrot up front.
Pierrot proved to be a huge challenge for Leigh Kavanagh at the back and the ex-Athlone Town striker was straight through in the 11th minute only for Kavanagh to stick out a leg and deflect his shot for a corner.
The home side also created a number of good chances in the opening period but found the Drogheda defence in a very resilient mood.
James Clarke was through in the 13th minute but was off balance as he shot, while Danny Grant also had his shot deflected away for a corner in the 20th minute.
The breakthrough goal came in the 27th minute and it was no surprise when the bustling Pierrot found the net for United to make it 1-0.
Shane Farrell took a corner on the right and even though it was cleared by the Bohs defence, Elicha Ahui returned the ball into the box where Andrew Quinn was able to head it onto the feet of Pierrot who forced it home.
The same player almost made in 2-0 in the 32nd minute when he muscled his way past Kavanagh, who shortly after went off injured, firing a shot that came off both posts before it trickled wide.
It remained 1-0 at the break, a well-deserved lead for the Boynesiders.
The second half followed the same pattern as the first but with an increase in tempo from the home side as they went in search of an equaliser.
They certainly had ample opportunities to do so but they found man of the match Luke Dennison in superb form in the Drogheda goal, as time in again he made some top-drawer saves to deny Tierney, Rooney and Devoy opportunities to level the game.
The best chance for Bohs came in the 71st minute when the ball fell to substitute Alex Grieve who, with an open goal in front of him, inexplicably manged to hook the ball over the bar from five meters to the dismay of the home fans.
Bohs continued to huff and puff but they were chasing a lost cause in the last 20 minutes as Drogheda had withdrawn all their players behind the ball with Pierrot even helping out on numerous occasions on defensive duties.
It was 360 days since Drogheda Uunited last won a league game away from home but they certainly picked a good night to address that poor record by defeating Bohs and hanging on to their coat tails in their bid to avoid the relegation to the First Division.
Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka; Cian Byrne, Jordan Flores (Patrick Kirk 70), Leigh Kavanagh (Jevon Mills 34), Liam Smith; Dawson Devoy, Archie Meekison James Akintunde 71), Ross Tierney; James Clarke (Alexander Greive 62), Daniel Grant (Declan McDaid 70), Dayle Rooney.
Subs not used: James Talbot, Jake Carroll, Brian McManus, Martin Miller.
Booked: Jordan Flores (10).
Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Elicha Ahui, James Bolger, Andrew Quinn, David Webster; Ryan Brennan, Shane Farrell (Gary Deegan 89), Conor Kane, Darragh Markey; Frantz Pierrot, Douglas Taylor (Adam Foley 65).
Subs not used: Andrew Wogan, Aaron McNally, Warren Davis, Jack Keaney, James Byrne, Bridel Bosakani, Aaron Harper Bailey.
Booked: Elicha Ahui (39), Luke Dennison (41), Shane Farrell (61), Douglas Taylor (64), Ryan Brennan (77), Sdam Foley (94)
Sent off: None.
Referee: Robert Harvey
Attendance: 4,275
extratime.com Player of the Match: Luke Dennison (Drogheda United)
