- Cian Mortimer
- Sun, Oct 07 2018
While Bohs returned to domestic u19 action on Sunday, with a come from behind quarter-final 4-3 win over Waterford, they still have unfinished business that awaits them later this month.
Last Wednesday, Steven Nolan’s 77th minute goal secured a crucial away goal against FC Midtjylland in the first leg of their UEFA Youth League first round tie. Nolan's strike very much keeps Bohs hopes of progressing to the next round of the Uefa Youth League, with the second leg against the Danes due for Dalymount Park on Wednesday 24 October.
Bohs' squad was somewhat depleted heading into this tie, due to a Uefa eligibility law, and it showed as the Gypsies started poorly in the first half. Bohs' defence held firm to keep the Danish side out for a period. However, Midtjylland eventually capitalised on Bohs' slow start to the game through Oliver Jensen, going a goal ahead with 27 minutes played.
Bohs boss Craig Sexton, speaking to his club’s website, reflected on a poor opening 45 minutes from his side saying “we didn’t pass it well in the first half and I told them at half-time we have to be better than that.
“They set standards for themselves this season and probably didn’t meet them in the first half but they’re young boys. It’s a big stadium and they were probably a little over-awed at the start. That’s understandable.”
Sexton's words at half-time must have had an impact on his players, as there was a noticeable improvement in their second half performance. The hosts, however, delivered a sucker-punch in the 75thminute as Casper Tengstedt's header extended their lead – somewhat against the run of play.
Bohs could easily have let their heads drop after being pegged back further with only 15 minutes to play, but that wasn’t to be the case. Within two minutes, Bohs had pulled back a crucial away goal, as Nolan was the quickest to react following a save from Midtjylland keeper Elìas Olafsson.
Sexton was particularly impressed with his side’s display after half-time saying “we feel we’ve shown in the second half that we can have a go at them now at Dalymount and let’s see where that takes us.”
“I’d be hoping we’d have a big Bohs support behind us for the return leg. We know how Bohs fans get behind us for everything. With a vocal Bohs support behind us, this will be a different proposition for Midtjylland.”
Bohemians: Bohan; Lyons, Byrne, Curley, Thornton; Omochere (Tierney 82), Kelly, Reghba, Graydon; Nolan, Considine.
FC Midtjylland: Olafsson; Sery, Jensen, Martis, Madsen; Dyhr, Tengstedt (Giessing 85), Tue (Dawa 85), Olsen (Abubakar 69); Isaksen (Odeh 69), Anker.
Referee: Ivar Orri Kristjansson
ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Steven Nolan (Bohemians).
