Bohemian Football Club Crest

Bohemians finally broke Drogheda United’s dogged resistance with a final minute headed goal from Ruaidhrí Higgins.

Raffaele Cretaro’s second half arrival was crucial as his brilliant cross was put on a plate for the midfielder Higgins to nod home. How vital this result could be come the end of the season.

This was a heartbreaker for Drogheda. For all the world it seemed we were re-living the UCD game and another drab stalemate. But Cretaro’s introduction changed everything as his speed and direct play disrupted the away side.

Bohemians struggled in front of goal again and it seemed a string of missed chances would haunt them. The ball is not falling right for a few players at the moment but this scoreline will greatly lift morale.

If Bohemians’ supporters think their team had been unfortunate of late, take a moment and examine their opponents’ position. Drogheda have now conceded 26 goals in 12 league games. They have recorded one win. They are second from bottom and can be overtaken by Bray Wanderers who have two games in hand. The financial upheaval experienced by the club this past 12 months has taken a very large toll. Clearly, Alan Mathews has an enormous job on his hands.

The manager, Pat Fenlon, made four changes from the UCD game. In came Conor Powell, Aaron Greene, Killian Brennan and Paddy Madden. Unlike against UCD, Bohemians started the game in positive mood. Only a stretching last-ditch tackle by the defender, Corie Treacy, denied Paddy Madden a simple goal on five minutes.

The captain, Paul Keegan, then smashed a long-range shot clear of the left-hand post. But Drogheda had absorbed that early pressure and were looking more comfortable as the first half drifted on.

Fenlon had warned that Drogheda, like UCD, would park the bus with two banks of four and ask the Champions to break them down. So it was proving here with the visitors content to sit deep and frustrate. The two centre-halves, Jamie Harris and Alan McNally, were throwing their bodies in the way of shots. They were outstanding.

A floated Killian Brennan free-kick on the half-hour found Madden and his header forced the goalkeeper, Paul Skinner, to beat way before the ball was finally cleared.

Shortly after, Bohemians had a huge scare. The midfielder, Paul Crowley, showed fine technique to volley Garreth O’Connor’s corner fractions past Barry Murphy’s vacant post.

Mark Rossiter was forced off injured at the start of the second half after a heavy collision with a Drogheda player. He was replaced by Anto Murphy who slotted in at right-back. And immediately after, Jason McGuinness thought his close-range effort had crossed the line but Skinner had clutched the ball directly on the edge.

Madden tried his luck from distance on 60 minutes but to no avail. The home side were toiling.

Brennan forced an excellent stop from Skinner with a trademark free-kick on 68 minutes. It was all Bohemians. Jason Byrne was having a quiet evening but came to life when turning his marker well and shooting over from 25 yards.

Cretaro and Mark Quigley were brought in a bid to quicken the tempo. It’s been a while since McGuinness has scored and he had another golden opportunity but headed straight at Skinner from a corner.

Finally it the goal came as Cretaro’s introduction proved a masterstroke. The striker sent in a wonderful cross from the right flank for Higgins to head home at the back post and spark delirious scenes. 　

Bohemians: B Murphy; Rossiter, Shelley, McGuinness, Powell; Brennan, Higgins, Keegan (C), Greene (Cretaro, 67); Madden (Quigley, 77), Byrne

Drogheda United: Skinner, Treacy, Kendrick, McNally (Brennan, 74), Harris; Crowley, O’Connor, B. McGill, Daly; King, Smyth (Fitzpatrick, 64)

Possession: Bohs: 65% Drogheda: 35%

Attempts on target: Bohs: 7 Drogheda: 1

Attempts off target: Bohs: 9 Drogheda: 1

Corners: Bohs: 10 Drogheda: 2

Bookings: Bohs: None Drogheda: Gareth O’Connor, Joe Kendrick

Sent off: Bohs: None Drogheda: None

Referee: Richard Winter (Wicklow)