The last time these two sides met at Dalymount Park, Moses Dyer mightn’t have even known where Cambodia was, and the Bohemians fans were turning against Alan Reynolds after another painful defeat. Oh how times change.
The first half tonight under the beating sun was defined by the intense heat. The first quarter was unremarkable, with James Clarke producing the only shot on target – a fine curled attempt which was well saved by Evan Watts.
Bohs lined up in slightly makeshift fashion, with Adam McDonnell at left wing-back. They came into this game in mixed form, with only 1 win in their previous 4 outings. Much of the half was dominated by Bohs passing in front of a well organised Galway shape. However, the home side were often too slow and overly methodical
The half dragged on a bit, until with two minutes left, home debutant Douglas James Taylor swivelled in the box and dragged a shot just wide of the far post. Only seconds afterwards, Jordan Flores unleashed a thunderbolt from 30 yards which again only went just wide. Bohs jogged off quickly at half-time, a sign that they knew they had some wrongs to right. John Caulfield would have been quite happy, with his side frustrating Dawson Devoy and co.
Galway got the second half to a good start. Malcom Shaw and Ed McCarthy linked well to create a chance for Stephen Walsh but he poked his effort straight at Kacper Chorazka. Bohs made Walsh pay for that. Less than a minute later, substitute Leigh Kavanagh fed a ball through the lines to James-Taylor. He turned sharply and fired an arrowing effort into the bottom corner from outside the box. After the end of Moose-mania, the Bohs faithful now had a new hero.
In the 55th minute, James Clarke produced some magic to race through the middle of the away defence – skipping past Greg Cunningham and leaving him in the dust – before forcing Watts into another fine save.
Bohs were well on top after the goal, with Devoy and Clarke buzzing around. A second goal always looked likely and it came in the 61st minute. Devoy was instrumental, receiving off McDonnell in the inside left channel before pulling back for the impressive Clarke to finish calmly from 10 yards.
Galway almost responded quite quickly, with an Aaron Bolger floated free kick being directed just wide. Left-winger McCarthy then put in a good cross a couple of minutes later which created another chance for Shaw, who came close again.
Galway made a triple change in the 69th minute, with Caulfield rolling the dice. It didn’t have the intended effect. Only 2 minutes later, that Devoy/Clarke partnership was potent again. Clarke received off his fellow Meath man before facing up the visiting defence, cutting inside and curling into the far corner brilliantly.
After that third goal, Galway never really looked like mounting a comeback, but they caused some threat in the 85th minute. Chorazka was forced into a top save from an initial header before youngster Cillian Tollett then nodded off the crossbar. The visitors weren’t terrible here – in the first half at least – but could be sleep-walking into a relegation battle. The main positive for them was probably the danger caused by frontman Malcolm Shaw.
As the game approached its conclusion, the home fans – decked out in the new Oasis jersey – serenaded Clarke before also giving James-Taylor their seal of approval. This was a win that Alan Reynolds will be very happy with. Not only was it their first home win over Galway in 10 years, but the improvement in the second-half was significant and the nature of the goals impressive, with Devoy, Clarke and James-Taylor looking a serious trio.