Bohemians 2
Galway 0
STRIKES FROM PADDY Kavanagh and Mark Quigley ensured Bohemians advanced to the third round of the FAI Cup at the expense of Galway United at Dalymount Park tonight.
The round’s only all-Premier Division tie saw Bohs abandon their league form to overcome the Tribesmen in an encouraging performance to end their run of seven games without a win.
Aymen Ben Mohamed, who was prominent in both goals, looked buoyed by his call-up to the Tunisia squad, as he produced another performance of the highest order with his pace and guile down the left wing inspiring Bohs’ to a confidence-boosting win.
And it was the 21-year-old winger who set up the opener. His cross was miscontrolled by Ismahil Akinade, but Kavanagh didn’t make the same mistake, as he took a deft touch with his right foot before striking on the half volley with his left to give Bohs’ the lead on 10 minutes.
The Dublin side almost scored again moments later, as Jake Kelly was fouled on the edge of the Galway area, and Kavanagh nearly doubled his tally as his low drive from left of centre forced Conor Winn to get down and palm away to safety.
Goalscorer Kavanagh went off inured on 28 minutes to be replaced by Keith Buckley and it didn’t take long for the early substitute to make an impact. He and Jake Kelly neatly exchanged passes down the left before setting up Akindade, whose effort was well blocked.
The Nigerian forward had an even better chance seconds later, after being slid in by Buckley, as he chipped over Winn, but the effort just didn’t have enough power and was cleared off the line by Kevin Devaney.
Eric Foley came closest for Galway in the opening half as his looping shot from 25 yards almost caught out the stranded Dean Delany, but to the relief of the Bohs goalkeeper, the effort dipped just over.
After the interval, the home side continued to press, with Ben Mohamed threatening again. The Bohs winger broke away at pace from the Galway defence and Eric Foley had no option but to cynically bring him down as he went through on goal.
Ben Mohamed was involved again two minutes later for Bohs’ second. After being found by a diagonal pass from Eoin Wearen, he was dragged back in the box by Gary Shanahan as he tried to get his shot away. Substitute Quigley subsequently made no mistake, as he calmly slotted the spot-kick into the top corner.
Galway reacted well to going two behind. John Sullivan had an effort from 25 yards, after Bohs failed to clear, and Ruairi Keating should’ve done better after he cut in from the right, but his weak left-footed shot from the edge of the area was easily stopped by Delany.
Marc Ludden launched a couple of long throws in the heart of the home side’s box, but they couldn’t find a way past Delany.
Roberto Lopes should’ve made it three late on as he found himself through on goal, but he almost had too much time as he raced through from halfway, with Winn getting down well to save.
BOHEMIANS: Dean Delany; Derek Pender (c) (Stephen Best, 55) Dylan Hayes, Dave Mulcahy, Dan Byrne; Paddy Kavanagh (Keith Buckley 29), Roberto Lopes, Jake Kelly (Mark Quigley, 45), Eoin Wearan, Aymen Ben Mohamed; Ismahil Akinade.
GALWAY: Conor Winn; Colm Horgan, Armin Aganovic, Kilian Cantwell (Jesse Devers 85), Marc Ludden; Gary Shanahan, Alex Byrne, Eric Foley (Conor Melody, 57), Kevin Devaney, (Ruairi Keating, 46) John Sullivan; Vinny Faherty.
Referee: Neil Doyle
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