19.45 3 Apr 2015 -
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Bohemians
- Josh Dolan
- Thu, Apr 02 2015
DROGHEDA UNITED
Drogheda boss Johnny McDonnell will be looking to mastermind his side’s first win in four games, as United host Keith Long’s Bohemians on Friday night.
After two wins in the first two league games of the season, the Drogs have begun to falter in recent weeks, losing on the road to both Galway United and Derry City respectively, while also dropping two points in a home-tie with Limerick.
“Travelling to Galway and Derry is never easy and on top of that we played for over an hour with ten men against Limerick on the Tuesday in between,” said McDonnell.
“It’s been a challenging week and I feel it may have come a bit early in the season for us to have played a high number of games in such a short space of time and that has been highlighted by the knocks that Sean and Neil have picked up,” the Drogs boss added.
As you’d expect, McDonnell is anticipating a tough game against a Bohemians side, who have managed ten points from the fifteen available so far this season.
“We had Bohs watched last week against Shamrock Rovers and they are a very well organised side. They’ve got a very experienced defence with a lot of quality up front, and in Lorcan Fitzgerald they have someone who puts in an excellent set-piece that we need to be wary of,” McDonnell concluded.
Sean Thornton and Neil Yadolahi are set to miss the game with respective calf and thigh injuries, while midfielder Jason Marks will have to sit this one out due to suspension.
BOHEMIANS
Gypsies boss Keith Long has enjoyed a successful start to his tenure at Dalymount Park.
The former Athlone Town man has steered his side to three league wins from his first five games in charge, with the only blemishes coming in a home defeat to league champions Dundalk and a draw away to arch rivals Shamrock Rovers.
“Against Shamrock Rovers the players had to dig deep and showed a lot of character, they (his players) put in a gutsy, resolute performance to get a valuable point,” Long said.
As the early weeks of the season have shown, we are set for quite a competitive league, with a number of competitive games. For Long, he believes Friday night will be no different.
"All teams in the league are capable of taking points from each other and Drogheda will be no different on Friday, we know we will have to perform to our maximum to get anything from the game," the new Bohs boss explained.
Dan Byrne will miss the game, as he continues to recover from a cruciate knee ligament injury. However, there is some good news for The Gypsies faithful, as the defender has stepped up his recovery by resuming light, non-contact training. Dave Mulcahy has also returned to training after a calf injury, but will not be ready for the trip to United Park.
Referee:Paul McLaughlin
MATCH STATS
Bohemians last win at United Park came in a 1-0 victory back in March of 2011.
Neither side have beaten each other by more than a goal, since the Drogs beat Bohs 4-1 at Dalymount Park in October 2012.
Bohemians are yet to concede an away goal under the stewardship of Keith Long.
BETTING
Drogheda United 12/5; Draw 23/10; Bohemians 11/10 .
PREDICTION
Drogheda United 0-1 Bohemians.
Drogheda United
Injured:Sean Thornton (hamstring), Neil Yadolahi (thigh).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended:Jason Marks.
Bohemians
Injured: Dan Byrne (cruciate), Dave Mulcahy (calf).
Doubtful:None.
Suspended:None.
About Josh Dolan
Josh Dolan is one of our Dublin based reporters, who also helps out with Extratime.ie’s administration tasks.
Josh, who was recommended to us by fellow reporters, joined the site as a teenager …