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@bfcdublin Bohs battled back through Stephen Traynor and Anto Flood to win a memorable contest in Sligo, Cillian Shields reports.
The old cliché of ‘a game of two halves’ is one that’s used quite a lot these days, and I usually tend to try and avoid using it - but it’s the best way to describe Bohemians’ trip to Sligo on Friday.
Bohs recovered from a first half blitz from Sligo, who led 1-0 at the break thanks to Eoin Doyle’s goal, to fight back and earn three points thanks to Stephen Traynor and Anto Flood.
The game opened with Sligo having the majority of possession and stringing together some nice passing moves, as would be expected from such a talented side.
Killian Brennan played Flood in with a neat ball just over the defenders for the visitors' first chance of the game “Bisto” saw Brendan Clarke off his goal line and tried to chip the ball into the far corner, but was unable to hit the target.
Soon afterwards, Joey Ndo tried to find Aaron Greene – both former Gypsies – but the pass was deflected by Robert Bayly in Bohs’ midfield.
However, the ball was knocked into the path of Doyle, who showed plenty of composure to knock in the first goal.
Sligo were one up and cruising. They are a side that enjoy playing their football on the ground, and their class shone brightly throughout the first half with them holding onto the lion’s share of possession and Bohs chasing the game.
Doyle very nearly scored his second of the game a short time later, when Alan Keane played a pinpoint cross from deep onto his head. Doyle leapt high and met the ball with fantastic conviction but his shot hit the post.
The post came to the Gypsies’ rescue once more when John Dillon moved his way through the box before finding enough space to launch his effort goal-bound. There was a lot of venom behind his kick, which would have found the back of the net but for Chris O’Connor’s left hand post.
The half ended with Bohs calming the storm somewhat, maintaining some pressure on the Sligo defence. But the efforts of Pat Fenlon’s men only amounted to Flood hitting a shot that was easy for Clarke to save. Early in the second half, Owen Heary found some joy in attacking up the Bohemians’ right flank. A square ball to Flood in the penalty area gave the former Galway striker a great opening to score from close range, but he dragged his shot wide.
At the other end, Greene then received a good cross from Keane, struck a half volley towards the goal but just about missed the top corner. The 21-year-old was unlucky not to score against his ex-club in an open, free-flowing and highly enjoyable game of football.
The equaliser came when Brennan forced his way past a number of Sligo defenders, charged his way into the box but was then out-muscled off the ball before Ollie Cahill picked it up and did similar. Cahill showed tremendous persistence and tried to hit a cross to the centre of the box but was deflected.
It seemed like such an easy ball for Sligo to clear, but it was obviously too easy as Keane and Richie Ryan left the task to get rid of it up to each other. Neither did so, allowing 19-year-old Traynor to sneak in and poke it into the corner.
The tide of the match was changing and as Bohemians were enjoying more of the ball, Flood won a free-kick. Brennan sized up his chances, and decided he could have a shot despite the long distance of more than 30 yards.
In came a beautifully struck free-kick, with plenty of pace and swerve that Clarke couldn’t deal with properly. His save dropped to the on-rushing Flood, who anticipated the rebound quicker than anybody else. All of a sudden, Bohs were leading 1-2. 
Sligo then went on in pursuit of their own equaliser. A lack of creativity made for the need of some changes in the team as Raffaele Cretaro, Daryl Horgan and Matthew Blinkhorn were all introduced at different stages.
Bohs only found the need for one change, with Gary Burke coming on for Cahill.
However, none of the Sligo substitutions were very effective in breaking down their opposition's barriers. They kept the ball for the majority of the remaining time but couldn’t break down the excellently trained Gypsies defence. Crosses were sent in but constantly headed clear and blocked off by Heary, Aidan Price, Liam Burns and Ger O’Brien.
In the end, the final whistle blew with the scoreline in the Showgrounds reading 1-2 to the visitors. A fantastic three points were gained from a very hungry Bohemians team against a side that will probably be fighting for the league championship this year. Non-stop singing from a great travelling support also ensured a brilliant night for all at Bohemian FC. SLIGO ROVERS: Clarke, Keane, Peers, McGuinness, Davoren, Dillon (Blinkhorn 80), Ryan, Russell (Cretaro 64), Ndo, Greene (Horgan 69), Doyle. BOHEMIANS: O'Connor, Heary, Burns, Price, O'Brien, Buckley, Bayly, Brennan, Cahill (Burke 75), Flood, Traynor. REFEREE: D Hancock. Written by Cillian Shields. |
