SHELBOURNE 3-1 BOHEMIANS
Martin Murray’s 19s returned to action today after a three week lay-off against league leaders and local rivals Bohemians.
What a dreadful day it was, but both these two young teams have got to be complimented for making this such an entertainig and competitive game.
Early on you could see the rustiness in the Shels play and the confidence in Bohs with their Capt, Aaron Molloy, dominating the midfield early and creating one or two chances for Collins, with Darragh Gannon clearing off the line in the 20th minutes. Gradually Shels skipper Aaron Robinson was getting a hold of the midfield supported by Sean McGrane and setting up some long range chances. For all the good football been played both defences holding the upper hand with Ryan Robinson for Shels and Fiontain Byrne of Bohs marshalling there back units. So it was no surprise when half time arrived and it was 0 – 0.
Whatever Murray said at half time, Shels came out for the second half with a spring in their stride and immediately started to go at Boh’s and especially with Gannon and Confrey on the right side causing all sorts of problems. It was from these two combining in the 56th minute that Shels went ahead with both playing one two with each other and Confrey arriving in the box, beating two defenders and laying of to Aaron Ashe to poke in to the net for a deserving lead.
Four minutes later it was game on when from a dubious free kick for Bohs, Eric Donnelly saved brilliantly only for Byrne to follow and equalise, but to Shels credit almost immediately from the restart, again from Confrey and Gannon and Gannon put a cross to the back post for David Pakenham to head into the back of the net.
Bohs were now throwing everything at Shels, but Shels were defending well and counter attacking and through two of these they should have increased their lead with wrong decision making by Aaron Ashe and Ahu Obhakhan. But eventually Shels got the third in the 81st minute to ease the pressure- deservingly fromStephen Confrey, who was excellent all day. He scored his first goal in the Shels colours, finishing to the net following on from some good combination play.
Both teams took this opportunity to empty there benchs and give some players a chance. This was a very good win by this young Shels side and next up is new leaders Derry City next Saturday at 2pm initially Tolka Park, but even at this stage the venue is doubtful as the pitch took a heavy pounding with all the rain today.
Shelbourne F.C 12. Eric Donnelly, 4. Ryan Robinson, 5. Gavin Kearney, 6. Darragh Gannon ( 14. Eoghan Dempsey 81 min ), 7. Dylan Grimes ( 20. Conor Keeley 83min), 8. Sean McGraine, 9. Aaron Ashe, 19. Stephen Confrey ( 2. Andy Gorman 81min ), 21. Luke Doyle, 22. David Pakenham (18. Ahu Obhakhan 63 min ) 23. Aaron Robinson ( Capt ).
Subs not used: 10. Paddy Obijuru, 11. Ronan O’Flynn, Armstrong Bekombo.
Management: Martin Murray, Ger Ralph, Anthony Kennedy, Ciaran Bizzell and Gary-Matthew O’Toole.
Bohemians: Arron McKenna, Ryan Hughes, Sean Gilbert, Fionntan Byrne, Stephen Best, Alan Murphy, Malike Bentoughibi, Jamie Hollywood, Oisin Lynch, Aaron Molloy, Phikkie Rusk
Substitutes: Shane Moloney, Andrew Toner, Paul Bracken, Owen Evans, Scott Lawless, Martin Cashin, Gavin Moore.
