Bohemians must reflect on a failure to build on their derby day victory after a draw against Sligo Rovers in Phibsborough tonight.
The game got off to a flowing start, with good chances for each side inside the opening 10 minutes. This continued when Ross Tierney had a headed chance after 11 minutes from a trademark late run into the box but he nodded wide, and then Jad Hakiki fired a shot on goal at the other end, with Kacper Chorazka getting down well.
After a quarter of an hour, Ross Tierney raced through on goal after a neat flick from James Clarke, but skied his shot over the bar. Bohs began to play some really good football, with Adam McDonnell and Jordan Flores having good efforts.
The Bit O’Red managed to keep them out though, and then on 28 minutes, something remarkable happened. Talismanic teenager Owen Elding found oceans of space between the Bohemians back-line and the McDonnell/ Dawson Devoy partnership in front, before unleashing an astonishing effort into the Des Kelly end.
With 7 left minutes left in the half, John Mountney crept in at the back post to force a strong save from Sargeant, but besides that, the home side went quiet after the goal. Sligo improved as the half went on, and had a hard fought lead to bring to the changing rooms.
The first chance of the second half came when Devoy forced a save from Sargeant from the edge of the box after sharp play from Tierney and sub Keith Buckley. There wasn’t enough of that early in the half. Buckley injected a bit of presence into things but not much really changed from a Bohs’ perspective.
With twenty minutes left, Bohs finally managed a decent effort through James Clarke. The ball dropped on the edge of the box and he managed a decent volleyed effort.
Rhys Brennan had come on for the ineffective Colm Whelan with 20 left on the clock, and the teenager made a real impact. With 9 minutes left, Brennan curled a nice cross on to the head of the advancing Liam Smith, who headed off the post and wide.
Brennan kept going, and forced another good save from Sligo’s keeper in the first minute of added time.
With the clock saying 90+5, the desperate home side earned themselves a corner. The always-involved Dayle Rooney floated it in, and James Clarke nodded home.
Flares were let off and fans could disperse around Philsborough with something to hold on to, but this was 2 points dropped. They are now 11 points off the top, albeit with two games in hand.
This was a good point for Sligo Rovers, who won’t give up on catching Waterford and achieving safety. They defended doggedly, and in Elding they have a singular talent.