Kevin Fagan @ The Carlisle Grounds
Bohemians saved the best for last in their sixteenth and final away league game of the season, with an impressive 4 – 1 victory over Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds. Goals from Mulcahy, Buckley, Mulligan and McEvoy gave Aaron Callaghan’s men their first league win since July against a team other than Shamrock Rovers.
It was a dominant attacking performance from the Gypsies, who capitalized on the first half dismissal of Bray’s David Webster with four second half strikes to lift them above Shelbourne into 7th place in the Airtricity League table.
READ MORE
While their rivals in the race for 5th also had positive results, a victory in the last game of the season against Drogheda could well see Bohs finishing in that commendable Setanta Cup spot.
The opening ten minutes were cagey, but gradually the Gypsies began to exert their dominance, with wingers Keith Buckley and Andy Mulligan in particularly good form. Mulligan forced Bray keeper Brian Kane into a smart near post save on 16 minutes. From the resulting corner, Buckley fired just wide. Bohs had the ball in the net ten minutes later, but Dinny Corcoran was ruled offside after rounding Kane and slotting the ball home.
The game’s key flashpoints happened within three minutes of each other around the half hour mark. Bray defender David Webster brought down Dinny Corcoran to receive his first yellow card on 29 minutes. Then, just three minutes later, Webster felled Keith Buckley when the Bohs youngster was almost through on goal. Neil Doyle prescribed an early bath for the Bray man, and Bohs could now take control of the game.
Corcoran and Mulligan both had chances to put Bohs ahead before the break. Corcoran’s volley flew just over, and Mulligan slipped at the vital moment allowing Kane to gather. Half time came at a good time for the home side, but the feeling was that Bohs were poised to catch fire in the second period.
Bray almost poured water on that notion just after the break. Kieran Marty Waters to be precise. Set through by Jason Byrne, Waters deliciously lobbed Greg Murray, only to see his effort crash off the underside of the bar. Bohs replied instantly – McEvoy played a lovely through ball to Mulcahy, who kept his composure and clipped the ball past Kane to open the scoring. The modest away crowd had barely sat back down when it was 2. Mulligans delightful back post cross found his opposite winger Buckley, who slid in to double Bohs’ advantage.
On the hour mark, Bray got one back. As is the general way of things, Jason Byrne got on the scoresheet – dispatching a penalty after Michael Barker fouled Waters in the area. The flurry of goals kept on coming – with Bohs restoring their two goal advantage with 20 minutes remaining. A neat interchange of passing between Corcoran and substitute Keith Ward set Andy Mulligan through. Mulligan got the goal his performance deserved by blasting the ball low past Kane to make it 3 – 1.
Callaghan kept his promise of blooding some Under 19 starlets – Dylan Connolly came on for his debut, and almost set up the fourth following a powerful run down the left. Only a goal-line clearance kept Bohs from extending their lead. The game somewhat petered out in the latter stages – but there was a warm reception for Jason Byrne from the Bohs fans as he was replaced near the end. There was time for Ryan McEvoy to wrap up the evening by grabbing Bohs fourth in injury time. It was the first and last time this season that Bohs managed to score more than twice away from home.
Wins for Derry and Cork kept them ahead of Bohs in the table, but the race for 5th place is still very much alive. With Derry finished their league games, a win for Bohs against Drogheda will certainly put them ahead of the Candystripes. A win will seal 5th spot providing St. Pats take points from Cork in the final game.
Bray Wanderers: Brian Kane, Kevin Knight, Danny O’Connor, David Webster, Daire Doyle, Dean Marshall, (Lee Dixon 66) Sean Houston, Kevin O’Connor, John Mulroy (Paul Moffatt 72), Kieran Marty Waters, Jason Byrne (Yani Georgiev 87).
Bohemians: Greg Murray, Owen Heary, Kevin Feely, Evan McMillan, Luke Byrne (Kevin Devaney 74); Keith Buckley, Ryan McEvoy, Stephen Traynor (Keith Ward 63), Dave Mulcahy, Andy Mulligan (Dylan Connolly 76), Dinny Corcoran.
Bohs Man of the Match: Andy Mulligan
