Bohemians 1 UCD:EVAN McMILLAN'S first goal of the season began Bohemians' healing process following their Europa League humbling at Thór Akureyri.
Captain for the day as club skipper Owen Heary was one of eight changes from the 5-1 humiliation in Iceland last Thursday, central defender McMillan’s first half header won the game.
Only Dave Scully’s indiscipline soured Bohemians’ winning return as the striker received his third red card of the season for retaliation.
“We were looking for a reaction after the result the other night and I thought we got it,” said manager Aaron Callaghan. “The lads were fantastic against a very good and very fit UCD side. We worked hard all day . . . It was good to bounce back and get those three points”
Three of his changes combined to set the tone in what should have been the lead goal for Bohemians on six minutes. Andy Mulligan, on his first start, won the ball from Paul O’Conor in midfield to feed teenager Michael Barker who put Karl Moore in on goal. Moore’s shot lacked power, though, and was parried away by goalkeeper Mark McGinley.
Bohemians took the lead from their first corner on 23 minutes. Dwayne Wilson’s shot had been pushed round a post by McGinley. But McMillan then met Ryan McEvoy’s corner with a downward header that bounced through to the net.
Only an agile tip-over save from McGinley prevented Bohemians from doubling their lead after 42 minutes. Mulligan cut in from the left and let fly off his right foot to bring the best out of the College keeper.
Bohemians remained the better side in the second half and McGinley made another smart save on 72 minutes to touch over the bar from substitute Keith Ward’s delightful chip.
Bohemians were reduced to 10 men on 75 minutes. Scully, who’d scored their solitary goal in Iceland, was on the field less than five minutes when he was shown a straight red card for an off the ball incident with David O’Connor.
Defeat for UCD means they’ve taken just one point from their last four games since beating leaders Sligo Rovers and are now three points adrift at the foot of the table. “We’re lacking a cutting edge and are not taking half chances. They are things that we’ve got to improve on,” said their manager Martin Russell.
BOHEMIANS:Sexton; Pender, McMillan, Feely, Lopes; Barker, Traynor, McEvoy (Ward, 69 mins); Moore, Traynor (Martin, 28 mins), Mulligan (Scully, 70 mins).
UCD:McGinley; Douglas, O'Connor, Leahy, Nangle (McNelis, 70 mins); Ledwith, O'Conor, Corry, McMillan (Belhout, 64 mins); Benson, Lyons.
Referee:P Sutton (Clare).
