Both sides came into the Dublin Derby on the back of a disappointing week, with Bohs going down unexpectedly 1-0 away at “The Battle at the Bowl”as some have dubbed it. Meanwhile, The Saints saw their European dream ended at the hands of Norrkoping
Both sides came into the Dublin Derby on the back of a disappointing week, with Bohs going down unexpectedly 1-0 away at “The Battle at the Bowl”as some have dubbed it.
Meanwhile, The Saints saw their European dream ended at the hands of Norrkoping on Thursday night. Both teams started the fiery affair with a look of neither wanting to loose.
Ryan Swan looked dangerous over the top for the home side, whilst Simon Madden and Paddy Kirk looked a great clash in the offing. The visitors were well on top as the half progressed, as the Bohs side looked devoid creativity.
Keith Buckley was the one stand out, first to every second ball. Mikey Drennan forced James Talbot into a couple of smart saves, but just before the break it was The Gypsies who snatched the lead through Ryan Swan.
Luke Wade-Slater caused all sorts of trouble running at the Pat’s rearguard, but just as he looked to go down a blind alley, Kevin Devaney appeared out of nowhere to help out.
Devaney, then dug out a wonderful cross with his left, and Swan reacted sharply to nip in front of Brendan Clarke to nod home. The second half followed much the same pattern of the first, the home side sitting in happy to hit the Saints on the break.
But Harry Kenny's men just couldn’t find the breakthrough. Set piece after set piece bombarded the Bohs box, but Talbot remained relatively untroubled. And just like the first half Bohs ended the period with a flurry.
Conor Levingston kept his composure to slot home from the penalty spot after referee Rob Rogers spotted handball from a Bohs corner that caused all sorts of confusion. Ryan Swan put the icing on the cake with his second of the day, after substitute Danny Grants brilliant run and shot was deflected into his path.
A huge three points for Keith Long’s men who end the week on a high, keeping themselves in pole position for a third place finish and will be boosted by the return of pacey wideman Grant who came on with a couple of minutes remaining.
