Bohemian Football Club Crest

@bfcdublin An impressive Bohemians display ended in victory thanks to Killian Brennan's first-half strike, Cillian Shields reports.

The three points against Drogheda, bottom of the table without a win in their opening 11 games, sees Bohs move up to third from fifth.

Pat Fenlon's men dictated the pace of the game against the league's bottom side from early on.

Brennan constantly looked to get on the ball and crafted a lot of chances and it was he who created the first goal-scoring opportunity after collecting captain Owen Heary’s pass.

From the wing, Brennan crossed the ball to Anto Flood, whose excellent header was just about kept out by Drogs keeper Steven Trimble.

A short while afterwards, Flood and Stephen Traynor linked up nicely before finding Brennan, who was brought down for a free-kick.

The winger took the set piece himself. His powerful, dipping effort was spilled by Trimble but the Drogs defence reacted quickly to clear for a corner.

The subsequent corner eventually found its way to Bisto Flood, whose shot was blocked down.

Bohemians were playing beautiful football. Passes were well ranged between short and long as they moved around the pitch in style.

At the end of one particularly long and well-constructed move, Keith Buckley claimed possession on his right wing and made space to send the ball forward. His pass was met by the head of Traynor, but Trimble was able to deal with the shot.

The swagger and confidence from Bohemians - and Brennan in particular - was shining through, despite the game remaining scoreless.

Brennan hit a clever half-volley from distance, but the goalkeeper was able to prevent it from reaching the back of the net.

Drogheda were suppressed to their own half for the majority of the first half and their first shot of the game came from captain Brian Gannon midway through the half.

But it was no more than a half-chance, as the ball sailed over the bar and Bohs keeper Chris O’Connor had nothing to worry about.

On 28 minutes, the Gypsies created a promising move from the right. The ball was sent to the feet of Flood in the box, who controlled well and laid it on to Brennan.

After a fantastic first touch, Brennan danced his way through the box before finding enough space to unleash his shot to the corner of the Drogheda net.

It was a 1-0 lead that Bohs deserved.

Ger O’Brien was a stalwart in the Gypsies defence and also proved his worth as an attacking full-back with his fine runs causing plenty of problems for the home side.

During one such run, he forced his way through to the corner of the penalty area and had the awareness to know Brennan was waiting behind him.

A clever back-heeled pass found the Drogheda native, who  was unlucky to see his curling effort shake the post, denying him a deserved second goal of the evening.

In the second half, another back-heel saw youngsters Traynor and Buckley link up well again. But Buckley's shot was too weak to trouble Trimble.

The second period lacked the same intensity from both teams that was evident in the first half. But Bohs still kept a lot of the possession and Drogheda remained dangerous on the break.

Playing upfront once again by himself, Flood showed his class with a sublime first touch, when O’Connor’s powerful long pass was hit his way.

Flood charged goal-wards and won a corner kick when it
looked as though his options were limited. From that corner, he then won the header that came in. But his attempt failed to find the target.

Flood continued to cause the home side problems. Another shot of his was blocked down by the Drogheda defence, which caused the Bohs crowd to call for handball and a penalty.

But referee Paul Tuite waved play on and after the ball was cleared, O’Brien collected possession and once again charged into the Drogheda half.

He was then fouled just outside the box and Brennan stepped up to test the keeper again. But on this occasion, Trimble was equal to the effort.

With the game drawing to a close, desperation began to show in the home side.

Crosses were sent from deep into the heart of the Gypsies defence. In
the dying moments, Drogheda threatened with a few corner kicks but Robert Bayly and O’Connor were able to deal with everything sent their way.

The game ended in a 1-0 win for Bohemians. In truth it could have been more, with boss Fenlon conceding his side “could have been out of sight in the first half” with the amount of chances his team created from the lion’s share of possession that they kept.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Trimble; Nolan, McNally, Ekanem, Hand; Gannon (C), Quigley (Skelly 49), McCrossan (Flynn 56), M O’Brien; Freeman (Corcoran 78), Hanaphy.

BOHEMIANS: O’Connor; Heary (C), Burns, Price, O’Brien; Buckley, Bayly,
Rossiter, Brennan; Flood, Traynor (Forrester 90).

REFEREE: Paul Tuite (Dublin).

Written by Cillian Shields.