Bohemians manager Keith Long was in no doubt that his side were full value for their success against league leaders Shamrock Rovers at the Tallaght Stadium. “I think we deserved to win. It certainly helps when Rovers go down to nine men.” Not surp
Bohemians manager Keith Long was in no doubt that his side were full value for their success against league leaders Shamrock Rovers at the Tallaght Stadium.
“I think we deserved to win. It certainly helps when Rovers go down to nine men.”
Not surprisingly, Long felt referee Paul McLaughlin’s calls were the correct ones; “Contentious decisions, but I think the referee gets them right. Danny Grant was in on goal. Lee Grace’s arm was in an unnatural position.”
Long would have welcomed a second strike to make the game safe. “We get a little luck because Alan Mannus saves the initial penalty. Second half, (I was) a little bit disappointed in terms of our superiority. We could have got a second goal, which maybe could have opened the floodgates a bit.”
Bohs’ position in the table is a source of considerable satisfaction. “Delighted obviously to come here and win. The intention was to bridge the gap between ourselves and Rovers with our game in hand. We were able to do that by taking the three points. The boys have been magnificent. They deserve huge credit. But they (Rovers) were right in it to the death. A set play, a header in the box, the ball could break and we could be going home with one point, rather than three.”
As ever, focus switches quickly to the next challenge. “It’s all about recovering well before Friday against Waterford and Monday up in Derry. If we can follow up tonight with another couple of good performances, it will be really good few weeks for us.”
The Bohs boss is thrilled with how his charges are performing defensively. “James (Talbot) has been fantastic for us and the boys in front of him. We had to leave Aaron Barry out tonight, who has been immaculate since he came in. We’ve got a good foundation in front of James. That’s another clean sheet. We’ve only conceded from set plays so far this year.”
