Bohemians labour to victory to maintain European push

Archie Meekison scored a precious second-half winner as Bohemians laboured to victory over Waterford at Dalymount Park to maintain their quest for European football next summer.

An unfortunate own goal from Blues' goalkeeper Stephen McMullan gave Bohs a lead they scarcely deserved before Padraig Amond equalised at the end of a first half Waterford had had much the better of.

Though far from their best as they bounced back from last week's home defeat to Derry City, it's the time of the season when results matter more than performance as Bohemians thus leapfrog Derry City back to second in the table on goal difference to set up a top-of-the-table clash away to arch-rivals Shamrock Rovers next Friday.

Having won in Phibsborough earlier this season and with a terrific record of eight wins from their previous 10 visits, Waterford started positively, almost taking a third-minute lead from an incisive flowing move.

Centre-back Kacper Radkowski began it with a fine ball down the middle to Joshua Miles. James Olayinka then fed Jesse Dempsey on the left to cross for veteran striker Amond whose flick came back off a post.

Another clever touch from the 37-year-old skipper brought about a second Blues chance on 10 minutes. Olayinka put Miles away on the right for the midfielder to cut inside and curl a shot wide.

Bohs were struggling to get a foothold in the game as Waterford carved them open again minutes later, Conan Noonan just failing to get the crucial touch to Ryan Burke's cross.

Skipper Dawson Devoy finally gave the home supporters something to cheer on 20 minutes with an audacious chip from 10 yards inside his own half catching McMullan off his line. The keeper backpedalled well to salvage the situation, parrying the ball down and clasping it at the second attempt.

But McMullan was left utterly embarrassed on the half hour when his howler gifted Bohemians an undeserved lead.

Under no pressure whatsoever, the 20-year-old went up to gather Niall Morahan’s lofted ball in from the right touchline only to allow it slip through his hands and into the net for a calamitous own goal.

Given their dominance of the first half it would have been a footballing injustice if Blues had trooped off behind at the interval.

Up stepped their talisman Amond to ensure that wouldn’t be the case with a real poacher’s equaliser in the second minute of added time.

The influential Miles was again involved with a through ball for the run of his captain. And though Jubril Okedina got a block on Amond’s shot, the ball ricocheted into the air with Amond getting his head to it.

Morahan had got back to scoop the ball away, but an assistant referee promptly flagged that the ball had crossed the line for Amond’s 13th league strike of the season.

Doubtless with some stern words from head coach Alan Reynolds at half-time, and with Dayle Rooney in for Connor Parsons, Bohs displayed much more impetus and energy on the resumption.

A spell of pressure on the visitors’ goal brought no reward as Waterford played their way back into the game, Olayinka planting a header from Dempsey’s cross straight at Kacper Chorazka.

But Bohs came alive again to stretch Waterford and regain the lead for what proved the winner on 66 minutes.

Rooney’s initial cross from the left was cut out. Adam McDonnell recycled the loose ball to cross for Meekison who pivoted cleverly in front of goal before blasting a right-footed effort to the net for his second goal of the season.

Waterford pressed for a second equaliser late on; Amond heading into the grateful arms of Chorazka from Burke’s long throw dead in front of goal.

That 87th minute chance was as good as it got for John Coleman’s side as they slumped to a third successive league defeat to leave themselves now just three points above the relegation play-off place.

Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka; Niall Morahan, Jubril Okedina, Cian Byrne, Jordan Flores; Dawson Devoy, Adam McDonnell; Archie Meekison (Keith Buckley 88), James Clarke, Connor Parsons (Dayle Rooney h-t); Douglas James-Taylor (Collie Whelan 90+4).

Waterford: Stephen McMullan; Grant Horton, Kacper Radkowski, Ryan Burke; Joshua Miles (Trae Coyle 67), Jordan Rossiter, Sam Glenfield, James Olayinka (Muhammadu Fail 80), Jesse Dempsey (Kyle White 74); Conan Noonan (Tommy Lonergan 80); Padraig Amond.

Referee: Declan Toland (Athlone).

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