League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Bohemians

DROGHEDA UNITED

Despite losing three of their opening five matches, Drogheda United are still sitting in mid table as they won their opening two games of the season. 

 

The Boynesiders lost 4-0 to Derry City last weekend, a score line that manager Pete Mahon believes was harsh on his side. 

 

"I’m not quite sure what happened to us with those three late goals but I think even the Derry lads will admit that we gave them a real game for 75 minutes,” Mahon told www.droghedaunited.ie, as he talked of Barry McNamee’s eight minute second half hattrick.

 

Derry City captain Ryan McBride tragically passed away the day after the two sides played at Maginn Park with Mahon saying all his sides minor issues were put into perspective following the news.

 

"The tragic passing of Derry City captain Ryan McBride during the week has affected all the players and I’m sure everyone involved in the league,” Mahon said to the club website.



 

Mahon acknowledged that Bohs are in good form but expects his side to get the win if they play as well as they did in the first half against Derry.

 

"Bohs have put a few results together after a bad start but every team in the league is going to have their ups and downs.” 

 

“It’s too early in the season to refer to it as a must win game but we’re looking at all of our home games as opportunities to get points on the board. If we play as well as we did first-half in Derry, I’d expect us to get the win."



 

In team news, Drogheda will again be without long term absentee Killian Brennan who continues to recover from a broken collarbone while midfielder Richie Purdy is suspended and Conor Kane is on international duty with the Irish U19 squad.

 

Forward Stephen Elliott and full back Colm Deasy are doubtful with hamstring and back injuries respectively. In more positive news, Luke Gallagher returns from suspension.

 

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians began their season with back to back defeats to Derry City and Shamrock Rovers. However, since then, Bohs’ have beat both Bray Wanderers and Limerick and recorded a draw against Galway.

 

Manager Keith Long felt that his side looked laboured against Galway and looking ahead to the game against Drogheda, he admitted he is expecting a difficult game.

"Drogheda is a difficult place to go. I’ve enormous respect for Pete Mahon and John Gill and the work they’ve done.” 

 

“They’ve been around the league for a long time and have a huge amount of experience. They came to watch us last Friday, so they’ll have a plan for us and we will have to be ready for that," Long told www.bohemianfc.com

 

In team news, Keith Long will be without Dean Casey and the inform Dinny Corcoran through calf and knee injuries meaning under-19 player Stephen Nolan has been promoted to the matchday squad.

 

Long will also again be without long-term absentees Ismahil Akinade and Eoin Wearen. In better news, Derek Pender and Georgie Poynton are both available despite being subbed off through injury and illness against Galway last week.

 

Corcoran’s knee injury will see the striker on the sidelines for between three and six weeks, meaning Kaleem Simon or Jamie Doyle look set to play up front. 

 

"It’s far from ideal being without Dinny. We are very stretched in that position already and to lose Dinny, particularly in the form that he’s in, is a big blow."

 

"But we have players who can play up front like Kaleem Simon and Jamie Doyle. It’s an opportunity for others to come into the team and make the jersey their own," Long said to the club website. 

 

Referee: Paul Tuite.

 

MATCH STATS

Drogheda have scored five times in their opening five games, failing to find the net for the first time against Derry last week. Meanwhile, Bohemians have scored in each of their five games this season, scoring seven times in total.

 

In the last six league meetings between these sides there have been two wins for each side and two draws. 

 

BETTING

Drogheda United 6/4; Draw 12/5; Bohemians 7/4.

 

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 2-1 Bohemians.

 

Drogheda United

Unavailable: Killian Brennan (broken collarbone), Conor Kane (international duty).

Doubtful: Stephen Elliott (hamstring), Colm Deasy (back).

Suspended: Richie Purdy.

 

Bohemians

Injured: Dinny Corcoran (hamstring), Dean Casey (calf), Eoin Wearen (cruiciate), Ismahil Akinade (spleen surgery)

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.