The pre match atmosphere was electric as fans flooded into the “Home of Irish Football” with both sets of raucous fans giving as good as they were getting! The hosts dominated possession early on, but found it hard to break down a stubborn Shels re
The pre match atmosphere was electric as fans flooded into the “Home of Irish Football” with both sets of raucous fans giving as good as they were getting!
The hosts dominated possession early on, but found it hard to break down a stubborn Shels rearguard who looked well drilled.
Keith Long opted for a near full strength outfit with Keith Buckley returning to skipper the side, along with Irish under-19’s hero Andy Lyons coming in at right back.
Meanwhile, Ian Morris’ Reds - just four games away from securing a return to the top flight - made 5 changes to his side.
Jaze Kabia looked a threat on the break with his pace, while Conan Byrne put in a dangerous free kick that Derek Prendergast was inches away from getting a toe on.
The best chance of the game came just after the re-start, when Darragh Leahy picked out front man Andre Wright, who's header struck the post as the game began to come to life.
The visitors missed a guilt edged chance just before the hour mark and really should have taken the lead. Jaze Kabia won the ball back brilliantly in the Bohs box, before teeing up Conan Byrne who somehow missed from 10 yards out.
Substitute Ciaran Kilduff who made an instant impact putting his side ahead. Shane Farrell showed great pace on the break before slipping in his front man and Kilduff slotted home.
Bohs, chasing the equaliser, were caught on the break as Kilduff had the freedom of the half to play in Shane Farrell to smash home to the far post.
Incredibly, Jaze Kabia was shown a second yellow for time wasting getting back into his own half. Just as it looked beyond The Gypsies, Keith Buckley smashed home from the edge of the area and with two minutes remaining of normal time, up stepped Mandroiu who hammered a deflected effort past Delaney.
It wasn’t done just yet, Mandroiu then picked the ball up on the edge of the area and smashed home to the top corner to win it. A breathtaking end to an epitome of a game of two halves.
