The last competitive meeting between these sides saw Bohs edge a hugely entertaining contest in the quarter-final of the 2019 FAI Cup. James Talbot proved the hero that night, brilliantly denying opposite number Lee Steacy’s decisive penalty as the home side went through 5-4, after a 1-1 stalemate AET.

And just like that evening, there was little to choose between the sides in the opening exchanges this time around.

The hosts then just started to lift the tempo slightly, moving the ball quicker and began to pin the visitors back, resulting in the breakthrough with 20 minutes played.

Liam Burt’s low cross was almost behind front man Kelly, but the talismanic striker showed his class to turn on a six-pence, control and finish with his left foot all in the one move, under the helpless Steacy.

Just a minute later, the home side thought they had doubled their lead, only to be met with an incredible double save from the busy Steacy.

Ross Tierney burst through the Longford defensive line and smashed his shot low to the left, and just as Burt looked to follow up and tap home, he was met with the cat-like reflexes of Steacy to bravely block yet again.

The Gypsies were beginning to find their groove now, and got the second goal their pressure deserved as the diminutive Tierney, sharply turned on the edge of the area and volleyed home superbly just before the half hour mark.

Last season’s runners-up sensed blood now and missed yet another glorious double chance to extend their lead as Kelly’s side-foot strike was sharply saved, with Keith Buckley volleying over the rebound.

Doyle’s men came flying out of the traps last week with a fantastic 2-0 home win against Derry City, and showed that they carried a threat with Joe Gorman looking dangerous from set pieces and the exciting Dean Byrne causing trouble down the left wing, having a good chance well saved by Talbot just before the break.

The Town were much improved in the second half and showed again just why they won’t be any pushovers this season with a much more spirited effort, and halved the deficit with 15 minutes remaining.

Bohs, a defender temporarily down due to a James Finnerty head injury and possibly showing signs of complacency with the two-goal cushion, were punished when a too-casual Bastien Héry was dispossessed close to the edge of his own area.

The ball spilled to substitute Davis, who went on a fantastic dribble through the entire Bohs rearguard all by himself before smashing the ball low across Talbot and into the back of the net.

Longford completed an incredible comeback – that didn’t look likely based on their first half performance – when Davis snuck in at the back post to tap home to get his second.

A tantalising low cross by Callum Warfiled was left by everyone in the Bohs defence, who appeared to think it was going to trickle out for a goal-kick. But supersub Davis had another idea, gambling that it would come through and he got his rewards by tapping home.

A bitterly frustrating first home game for the Gypsies, who will have to improve on this second half showing in next week’s Dublin derby against St Patrick’s Athletic at Dalymount Park (Saturday, 6pm).

But Longford showed a spirit and resolution that will no doubt serve as a threat to the rest of the division as the season progresses.

Bohemians: James Talbot, Anto Breslin, Rory Feely, Rob Cornwall, Ali Coote (Bastien Hery 64), Keith Ward (Thomas Oluwa, 76), Liam Burt (Dawson Devoy 76’), Georgie Kelly, Keith Buckley (c), James Finnerty, Ross Tierney. Unused substitutes: Stephen McGuinness, Andy Lyons, Ciaran Kelly, Bradley Rolt, Tyreke Wilson, Jack Moylan
Longford Town: Lee Steacy, Paddy Kirk, Dean Zambra (c), Dylan Grimes, Sam Verdon (Callum Warfield, 59), Aaron O’Driscoll, Aaron Bolger (Aaron Dobbs 77), Aodh Dervin, Karl Chambers (Aaron McNally 77), Dean Byrne (Conor Davis 69), Joe Gorman. Unused substitutes: Michael Kelly, Shane Elworthy, Aaron Robinson, Aaron Dobbs, Callum Thompson, Joe Manley
Referee: Ben Connolly

Bohs grabbed their third in the 16th minute as a Paula Dorans throw found Chloe Darby. Her quick one-two with Abbie Brophy saw Darby break down the right before sending a pinpoint cross to Naima Chemaou in the box, she controlled the ball before volleying home a debut goal.

Bohemians were rewarded again for their pressure in the 37th minute as Kane won a free-kick near the sideline. Chemaou’s set piece found captain Sophie Watters’ run in the box. She controlled the ball before slotting a left-foot shot past Ryan.

Treaty pulled a goal back just before the interval – Aoife Cronin tapping home at the back post following a Rebecca Horgan cross.

The away side pulled another goal back 11 minutes after the break when an Emma Costelloe corner wasn’t dealt with by the Bohs defence, as the ball found its way to Shannon Parbat who fired home from close range.

Treaty United mounted more pressure on the Bohs defence and nearly grabbed a third goal when Cronin and Coombes clashed in the box, Cronin’s quick turn and shot looked destined for the net only for it to hit the post.

Bohs got back on track with the introduction of Aoife Robinson on the hour mark. The striker’s energy saw her dispossess a Treaty defender before playing a pass to Erica Burke and, when the ball fell back into the path of Robinson, she curled a right-foot shot into the top right-hand corner of the net, all within 36 seconds of entering the field of play.

With seven minutes remaining, Bohs hit their sixth goal when Watters won a free-kick near the corner flag, Chloe Darby swung in the resulting free which found Robinson unmarked at the back post to head home.

Darby went close to adding a seventh goal late on but her shot came back off the post, but it was all smiles for the women of Bohemians as they sit on top of the league after week one in the FAI WNL.

Bohemians: Niamh Coombes, Paula Doran, Jade Reddy, Isobel Finnegan, Chloe Flynn, Ally Cahill, Sophie Watters (Capt.), Chloe Darby, Abbie Brophy, Bronagh Kane, Naima Chemaou. Subs: Erica Burke for Chemaou (H/T), Annmarie Byrne & Erica Byrne for Reddy & Cahill (52), Aoife Robinson for Kane (59), Niamh Kenna for Finnegan (84). Unused subs: Katie Lovely, Claire Conlon, Ciara Mulligan, Courtney Maguire (GK).

Treaty United: Medbh Ryan, Alannah Mitchell, Shannon Parbat, Eve O’Sullivan, Jenna Slattery, Aoife Horgan, Gillian Keenan, Olive Gibson, Aoife Cronin, Alana Roddy, Aine Walsh – Subs Rebecca Horgan for Keenan (20), Emma Costelloe for Slattery (24), Ciara Griffin & Jesse Mendez for Gibson & Walsh (72), Michaela Mitchell (GK), Tara O’Gorman, Clodagh Doherty, Lauran Keane, Eimear Carey.

But, as is often the case at this level, if you don’t punish your opposition when you’re on top, you are susceptible to being punished. And that’s exactly what happened with 24 minutes played. Alistair Coote’s speculative drive took a wicked deflection off Dan Casey and slipped through the arms of Stephen McGuinness. They Gypsies did have a warning just prior to the opener, as Tyreke Wilson had a powerful effort well parried away.

John Martin was next to have a go from distance and smashed the cross bar as Bohs struggled to regain their composure and regain the upper hand. Disaster struck right on the stroke of halftime, the visitors doubled their lead when left back, Wilson curled in a beautiful free kick from slightly right of the area. And as a half that started so brightly for the home side, ended miserably, and now faced an uphill battle in the second half

As expected Bohs dominated possession after the break but struggled to break down a resolute Waterford rearguard. It took until just after the hour mark for Bohs to muster a meaningful effort, with player of the month, Grant cheating the ball down and quickly hit left footed volley from the edge of the area, But unfortunately was straight down the throat of Murphy.

The visitors continued to carry a threat though, and while looking comfortable without the ball, had chances to add to their tally. Wilson hit the foot of the post with another excellent free kick from a similar position to his goal and Martin had a back post header hit the post and bounce away from goal.

With the game slowly drifting away, boss Keith Long looked to freshen things with the introduction of Promise Omochere and Keith Ward. The new faces brought about immediate impact forcing a spate of corners, one of which brought a goal mouth scramble that was brilliantly defended by Murphy and co.

Dan Casey had a late header just miss the near post, but unfortunately for Keith Long and his troops just couldn’t force the breakthrough against a stubborn and very organised Waterford defence.

Next up for The Gypsies is a tough away trip to in-form Sligo Rovers, with a massive three points on offer in the race for European football next season.

Bohemian FC: Stephen McGuinness, Andy Lyons, James Finnerty, Dan Casey, Anto Breslin, Keith Buckley, JJ Lunney (50’ Conor Levingston), Daniel Mandroiu (77’ Keith Ward), Kris Twardek, Danny Grant (77’ Promise Omochere), Andre Wright (70’ Glen McCauley)

Subs: James Talbot, Ciaran Kelly, Conor Levingston, Dawson Devoy, Keith Ward, Promise Omochere, Glen McCauley

Waterford FC: Brian Murphy, Jake Davidson, Tyreke Wilson, Robert Weir, Alistair Coote, Michael O’Connor (69’ Dean Walsh), Matthew Smith, John Martin (82’ Niall O’Keefe), Robbie McCourt, Kurtis Byrne, Oluwatunmise Sobowate

Subs: Tadhg Ryan, Dean Walsh, Darragh Power, Alex Phelan, William Fitzgerald, Paul Martin, Niall O’Keefe