BIG RON’S PORTS IN SETANTA SETBACK
MIDFIELD CLASH: Neil McCafferty of Portadown with Peter McMahon of Bohs
PORTADOWN have it all to do if they are to reach the Setanta Sports Cup quarter-finals after Bohemians stunned them with two suerb goals at Dalymount Park last night.
Ronnie McFall knows that his team must be a lot better than they showed in this first round clash if they are to remain in the cross-border tournament as they were outclassed in Dublin.
Dinny Corcoran lobbed keeper David Miskelly just before half-time before Karl Moore fired Bohs to a two-goal lead.
Kevin Braniff did pull one back, but it wasn’t enough.
This was a game where the visiting team struggled to get going with a youthful Bohs side showing more invention, hunger and quality – especially in a largely one-sided first half.
Moore was a constant threat on the right flank for the Gypsies and his teasing cross on six minutes hinted at what was to come. Peter McMahon failed to convert that time.
There were signs that McFall’s men could upset their hosts – wearing canary yellow jerseys – on their home patch when they had an effort cleared off the line on 14 minutes.
Then Ross Redman took matters into his own hands as he ventured forward and brought the best out of Bohs keeper Craig Sexton with a stinging shot just past the half hour mark.
Portadown should have responded positively to that chance, but it was Bohs who took the lead when Sexton’s long ball was complimented by a lobbed finish from Corcoran.
Keith Ward and Corcoran went close to increasing Bohs’ lead before the break. And it was more of the same in the second period with Danny Joyce and Ward registering efforts.
Joyce and Roberto Lopes were outsanding in central midfield for Aaron Callaghan’s outfit with both suggesting that they could become key players for the Airtricity League side.
Although, it was Moore who provided a moment of magic on 57 minutes when he cut in from the right wing to smash a blistering shot past the helpless Miskelly. It was a superb goal.
Trailing by two goals, Portadown finally woke from their slumber with Brian Gartland heading wide. Then Braniff got them on the scoresheet with a neat header from close range.
The Ports began to turn the momentum in their favour with Braniff proving a real handful up front. And the captain tested Sexton’s reflexes with a well-drilled free-kick on 79 minutes.
There was little to follow that effort as Bohs got motoring again with Callaghan’s positive substitutions driving them forward.
If anyone was going to score, it looked like it would be the home team.
Priorities may lay elsewhere for Portadown this term, although this defeat to a side made up of rookies will act as a wake-up call. Now it is up to them to respond in the second leg.
Next Monday’s game in Shamrock Park will be the last chance that McFall’s men get to stay in the competition.
But Bohs showed plenty of quality here to suggest they won’t be easily turned over.
BOHEMIANS: Sexton; Heary, Feely, McMillan, Byrne; Moore (Wilson 71), Lopes, Joyce (Davidson 71), McMahon; Ward (Traynor 78), Corcoran.
Subs not used: McNulty, Harney, O’Connor, McEvoy.
PORTADOWN: Miskelly; Burns, Breen, Gartland, Redman; Mackie, McCafferty, Clarke, Tomelty; Braniff, Tipton (McCloskey 59).
Subs not used: Murphy, Ramsey, Lynass, Acheson, McKinney.
Referee: T Connolly (Dublin).
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
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