The Bohemians WU17s made the short trip to a rainswept AUL for a North Dublin Derby against familiar foe, Shelbourne.

Bohemians came into the game in a strong vein of form going unbeaten in their previous four games climbing to fourth in the league. And the hosts, Shelbourne came into the game with a perfect record claiming twenty-four points from a possible twenty-four in the league.

The opening minutes of the game saw a tenacious Bohs side work to impose their presence on the game. The first chance fell to Bohs’ left-winger, Glennon, who after a great darting run fired a low-driven shot which was turned away by the Shels keeper.

A period of pressure from Bohemians saw Shelbourne forced to concede a series of corners – a corner delivered by Glennon saw cries of handball from the Bohs’ players which were waved away by the referee, Jack Keating.

Shelbourne began to grow into the game, controlling possession and attempting to pressure a resilient Bohs’ defensive line. Bohs’ duo Baird and Doyle did excellently to deal with intense pressure down the Bohs right-side.

Whilst Bohs remained under pressure, they were unafraid to press Shelbourne to force loose passes, and mistakes and pressure Shelbourne. Amy Ellis and Baird had success in delivering accurate passes to catch the Shelbourne defensive line off balance and creating chances for Bohs.

A dangerous Shels free-kick in the 35th minute forced a save from the Bohs #1, Ella Brennan, which was parried into a crowded box which was turned into the Bohs goal. However, the referee had already blown his whistle for offside which was met by a sigh of relief by the Bohs team.

An excellent run by Glennon, in the 43rd minute, saw her brought down resulting in a dangerous free-kick on the left-hand side of the Shels box. An excellent floated delivery by Rooney was flicked across the Shelbourne goal by the head of Glennon which landed at the feet of Amy Ellis who calmly dispatched the ball beyond the Shels keeper.

The last chance of the first half fell to Shelbourne, chasing a quick response. A cute through ball found Ella Brennan and the Shels striker in a foot race which the Bohs keeper did excellently to smother before the Shels striker could get a foot to the ball.

Shelbourne began the second half at a high intensity and flew out of the traps eager to find an equaliser. Shelbourne very nearly found themselves level after a well-worked corner forced Bohs to clear their lines.

Bohs found themselves under a period of immense pressure from Shelbourne set-pieces with Ella Brennan forced to make an excellent save to turn an excellent Shels header around her post.

Moments later, a long-diagonal Shels ball found the feet of the Shels #12 – whose flashed effort kissed the face of the Bohs crossbar. Bohs dealt well with the early Shels pressure and continued to press Shels and force mistakes.

They were rewarded for their efforts in the 60th minute when Bohs doubled their advantage. High pressure by Baker forced a loose Shels pass; which found the feet of Glennon who hit the ball first time with the ball slipping through the hands of the Shels keeper who was unable to get back to stop the ball from rolling over the line.

Although two down, Shelbourne began to control the game and create chances forcing a series of excellent saves from Brennan.

Shels earned a lifeline in the 75th minute when Savannah Keogh picked up a loose Bohs clearance before unleashing a low-driven strike on the edge of the box which Brennan could only get her fingertips to.

The final fifteen minutes were played at a frantic pace with both sides continuing to give their all.

The Bohs #10, Baker, doggedly won the ball on the edge of the Shels box before squaring the ball with the ensuing Bohs strike cleared off the goal line in a last-ditch Shels attempt.

A long-range Shels effort in the 80th minute looked destined for the back of the Bohs net but was met by a long diving hand of Brennan who managed to turn the ball over the bar.

A deep Shels free in the 90th minute was floated into the box and met by a powerful header which was thundered past a diving Bohs keeper and into the back of the net bringing the Drumcondra side level.

Shels clinched all three points in the 95th minute after a misplaced Bohs pass found the feet of Shels’ Ruby McCarthy, who rifled the ball into the net.

Jack Keating brought proceedings to an end at the AUL in a match which saw Bohs run out 3-2 losers in a tight, exciting affair.