Dean Williams is fast becoming a fans favourite at Head In The Game Park and it's obvious to see why. His late strike earned Drogheda United an unexpected point against Bohemians. For the second home game in a row, it was Williams who sent the Drogs supporters home happy.
He followed up his winner against Dundalk before the international break with his third of the season – totally against the run of play as Bohs had dominated a one-sided second half.
Keith Long’s side had taken an early lead through Dawson Devoy’s sixth minute penalty. While United had chances to draw level prior to the break, the second half was played almost entirely in the Drogheda half.
Even the most staunch Drog may admit they didn’t see their late equaliser coming. Their team are now unbeaten in four having enjoyed a definite upturn in form in the last three weeks.
Kevin Doherty’s side followed that Louth derby win over Dundalk with creditable away draws against St Patrick’s Athletic and Finn Harps in midweek – the latter a fixture rearranged from the opening week of the season.
Just six minutes had been played when referee Paul McLaughlin pointed to the spot after James Clarke handled. Devoy beat Sam Long low to the goalkeeper's left to score his first of the season.
The away team were much the more dangerous side in the opening stages as Drogheda struggled to stamp their authority on the game. Bohs looked dangerous on the break, without carving out another gilt-edged opportunity to double their lead.
United did grow into the game. Clarke’s cross from the left was headed up into the sky by a Bohemians defender. It dropped invitingly for Georgie Poynton whose volley was on target but diverted away by the outstretched leg of James Talbot.
The goalkeeper was again called upon to save when Darragh Nugent curled a shot towards goal. He was at full stretch to turn the ball around the post.
Bohs began the second half as they did the opening 45 minutes – strongly. They didn’t produce a second goal however. Only Burt’s strike from range called Long into action. Grant Horton glanced a header wide too.
As the clock ticked away, Promise Omochere went close and sub Jordan Flores was well off target with an ambitious bicycle kick attempt. It didn’t seem it would matter, with Talbot an utterly unbothered spectator watching from afar.
Drogheda never looked likely to find an equaliser. They were non-existent as an attacking threat, despite Doherty making substitutions aimed at injecting some fresh attacking thrust into their play.
One of those, Williams, made the difference. His late strike from the edge of the area found the bottom corner and denied Bohemians just a rare away win.
Drogheda United: Sam Long; Andrew Quinn, Sean Roughan, Keith Cowan (Evan Weir, 77), Dane Massey; Gary Deegan, James Clarke; Georgie Poynton, Darragh Nugent (Ryan Brennan, 61), Dayle Rooney (Dylan Grimes, 69); Chris Lyons (Dean Williams, 61).
Bohemians: James Talbot; Max Murphy, Grant Horton (Rory Feely, 89), Ciaran Kelly, Tyreke Wilson; Ali Coote (Jordan Flores, 70), Conor Levingston, Dawson Devoy; Kris Twardek (Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe, 80), Promise Omochere, Liam Burt.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
