Shamrock Rovers 1
Bohemians 2
Aaron Gallagher reports from Tallaght Stadium
BOHEMIANS ENDED A worrying three game losing streak in sensational style on Friday night in Tallaght Stadium.
The Gypsies stung Shamrock Rovers 2-1 in a hotly contested meeting, with striker Ismahil Akinade’s first league goal of the season setting the mood for what would prove to be a vigorous, and at times provocative, Dublin derby.
Recently returned from a season-long injury just this month, Akinade gave Bohemians the lead against the run of play before David McAllister levelled minutes later, with Dinny Corcoran sealing the win for Keith Long’s side with a deft finish in the second half.
Bohemians had been dragged back into the relegation mix after successive losses to Dundalk, Finn Harps and Derry City, but have now re-established their safety net to sit seven points above the bottom three, with a game in hand.
Stephen Bradley’s side, meanwhile, threw away the opportunity to move into third place and maintain their battle for European football again next summer.
With a well-earned 1-0 win against champions Dundalk in Oriel Park behind them, Rovers took the upper hand in a lax opening half an hour before the game exploded into life.
With 27 minutes on the clock a clever Dinny Corcoran back-heel set Akinade on his way powering down the touchline.
With an incredible display of upper body strength, the striker held off the challenge of Luke Byrne before smashing the ball just underneath the crossbar and into the top corner, almost snapping the net in the process to make it 1-0.
The Bohemians supporters erupted in celebration, however a small section of the home fans became antagonised by the forward’s celebrations. One individual found his way onto the pitch and attempted to confront the goalscorer.
Rovers’ anger and dismay at going behind was soon replaced by joy and ecstasy as they drew the scores level less than two minutes later.
Brandon Miele lobbed a Hail Mary delivery back across the box where McAllister, wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of Ronan Finn, ducked low to steer home a deadly accurate effort that bounced into the bottom corner beyond the reach of Supple to make it 1-1.
The Rovers’ supporters had found their voice once again, and gleefully joined in a chorus of ‘you’re not singing anymore’ aimed at the travelling contingent of Gypsies fans in the opposite stand.
The game now had a true, unfiltered derby atmosphere about it, with the good and bad elements of a raucous crowd with no love lost between them only adding to the growing tension inside the stadium.
On a day when League of Ireland attendances were reported to have increased on this time 12 months ago, even if only marginally, this game showcased many of the league’s best assets — a good crowd in full voice watching a competitive and at times blood-boiling derby.
Level at the break, Gary Shaw could so easily have given Rovers the lead from the second-half tip-off. The ball found the striker at the back post and with just Supple to beat, Shaw blazed his effort over the bar three yards from goal.
Shaw was impressive in this game and was matching the form he showed when he scored the winner against Dundalk in Oriel Park last weekend. Despite this it would be his opposite number, Corcoran, who would give Bohs the lead once again.
Defender Sam Bone had been off the pitch receiving treatment after a clash of heads with Akinade. Following his return to play the defender was caught out of position, allowing Bohemians to break.
A quick throw-in found Akinade who crossed towards Corcoran. The striker took the ball up and over a defender’s head with a fortunate bounce, before finding the bottom corner with a slow and steady finish which had goalkeeper Chencinski fooled to make it 2-1.
Rovers pinned Bohemians back in search of a late leveller and they almost had it in stoppage time. A classy swerve and cross from captain McAllister saw the ball knocked down into the path of second-half substitute Sean Boyd.
Using the outside of his boot the 19-year-old aimed for the bottom corner but to his and the Rovers’ supporters’ dismay, his shot arrowed inches wide of the post.
The final whistle ignited the boisterous cheers of the Gypsies supporters in a small corner of Tallaght Stadium.
It was their side’s first league win in four games and first Dublin derby win all season — a first victory in Tallaght in over five years.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Tomer Chencinski, Simon Madden, David Webster, Sam Bone (Sean Boyd 56), Luke Byrne, Ryan Connolly (Michael O’Connor 81), David McAllister, Brandon Miele, Trevor Clarke, Graham Burke, Gary Shaw
BOHEMIANS: Shane Supple, Derek Pender (Ian Morris 82), Rob Cornwall, Warren O’Hora, Dylan Hayes, Paddy Kavanagh (George Poynton 70), Fuad Sule, Oscar Brennan, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Dinny Corcoran (Ciaran O’Connor 90), Ismahil Akinade
Referee: Ben Connolly
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