Soccer

Liam Burt’s stunning strike earns Bohemians back-to-back league wins

Drogheda United go down at home to excellent goal from Scottish winger

Bohemians' Liam Burt scores his side's winning goal during the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match against Drogheda United at Head In The Game Park. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho
Bohemians' Liam Burt scores his side's winning goal during the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match against Drogheda United at Head In The Game Park. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho
Fri Jul 15 2022 - 22:37

Drogheda United 0 Bohemians 1

Liam Burt’s stunning second-half goal saw Bohemians win back-to-back league games for the first time all season as they edged a thrillingly entertaining clash at Head In The Game Park.

While the first half lacked goals, it more than compensated for it with an enthralling contest played out by two teams who carried infinite ambition going forward. The visitors edged the match after the break and few can argue with the final result.

Bohs’ striker Promise Omochere, now their leading goalscorer following the departure of Dawson Devoy, could have found the net four times in the opening 20 minutes. He was twice denied by goalkeeper Colin McCabe and shot wide when poised to net after a superb through ball by John O’Sullivan.

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The 21-year-old then capitalised on some uncertainty in the Drogheda defence to steal the ball in the penalty area, but with McCabe out of position, Omochere’s effort bounced off the upright.

United’s recent home form suggested they had little to fear from a Bohs team within their sights in the Premier Division middle ground. After Darragh Nugent’s pull back failed to find Darragh Markey, Dayle Rooney looked set to score. but he somehow contrived to shoot wide.

Drogheda were denied an opener 10 minutes before the break. Markey’s deep cross didn’t find its intended target but Weir burst into the box from the left flank. He connected but his sidefoot shot was cleared by Scottish defender Josh Kerr.

McCabe twice more produced fine stops to deny Omochere a return to scoring form but Bohs managed to find a lead goal just moments after the striker was withdrawn. Teenage debutant Ethon Varian flicked the ball in Burt’s path and the Scot produced a stunning chip to beat McCabe.

The goalkeeper was only a couple of yards off his line but Burt’s vision and no shortage of technique allowed him to find the far top corner. Andrew Quinn almost rescued a point with a last-gasp header, but he powered it wide.

DROGHEDA UNITED: McCabe; Heeney (Poynton, 90 mins), Quinn, Cowan, Weir; Deegan, Clarke (Brennan, 78 mins); Markey, Nugent, Rooney (Foley, 68 mins); Williams (Lyons, 79 mins).

BOHEMIANS: Ryan; Doherty, Kerr, Kelly, Wilson; Flores, O’Sullivan (Mullins, 74 mins), Levingston (McManus, 61 mins); Burt (Feely, 86 mins), Omochere (Varian, 74 mins), Ogedi-Uzokwe (McDaid, 61 mins).

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.