James Akintunde nets late, late winner as league…

James Akintunde nets late, late winner as league leaders Derry City break Bohemians hearts

Bohemians 1

Derry City 2

There was late heartbreak for Bohemians on Friday night as James Akintunde netted a winner for league leaders Derry City deep in injury time.

The striker did brilliantly to stoop and nod home after Cameron McJannet, who also set up Ronan Boyce’s equaliser, flicked on a Patrick McEleney free kick.

Bohs had looked to be cruising heading towards the hour after Liam Burt capped off a flowing team move to put the home side in front after 25 minutes.

Derry, augmented by the introduction of McEleney at the break, rallied in the second half and levelled through a Boyce diving header.

And they completed a dramatic turnaround with virtually the last kick, or head, of the game as late substitute Akintunde lost his marker to steer the ball home.

There was little sign that this would be Derry’s night during a first half that, though Derry had shown composure on and off the ball, gradually turned in Bohs’ favour.

The home side were the first to threaten when Boyce was harshly punished for a foul on Ali Coote, and captain Tyreke Wilson saw his free kick brush the top of the net.

Coote went close soon after as his fellow Scot Burt played a one-two with Promise Omochere and played him in, but the midfielder scuffed his shot wide.

They wouldn’t have to wait long for the opening goal, however, and it arrived on 25 minutes with Coote’s intricate footwork again key to unlocking the Derry defence.

He exchanged one-twos with Jordan Flores and Omochere before playing his compatriot who, despite being off-balance, nudged the ball early past Brian Maher.

Flores almost doubled the lead two minutes later as he unleashed a 25-yard thunderbolt but Maher did well to tip it out of the top corner.

And Omochere will rue the missed opportunity as Coote planted a cross perfectly on his head and, unmarked, he could only nod the ball past the post.

Both keepers had been involved with Irish international squads during the window, Maher starting the 21s’ win in Sweden and Talbot on the bench for the senior squad.

Talbot’s first real action of the game came a minute before the break as Jamie McGonigle smashed goalwards from 20 yards and he was equal to it with a fine full-length save.

He was helpless to keep out Boyce’s effort just before the hour, however, as Brandon Kavanagh teed up McJarrett to cross and the midfielder met it with a perfect diving header.

Derry controlled the final 30 minutes without particularly looking like taking all three points but Akintunde, who turned 26 during the week, had other ideas.

Bohemians conceded a soft free kick on the left-hand side and McEleney’s cross was flicked on by McJannet. Akintunde crouched to steer the ball skilfully into the corner. The away fans erupted. The home fans groaned.

Five games without a win for Bohs but elation for the Candystripes, who now move three points clear at the top ahead of second-placed Shamrock Rovers.

Bohemians: James Talbot; Rory Feely, Ciaran Kelly, Grant Horton; Kris Twardek, Conor Levingston, Jordan Flores, Ali Coote (Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe 74), Tyreke Wilson; Liam Burt (JJ McKiernan 86), Promise Omochere (Dawson Devoy 74).

Derry City: Brian Maher; Shane McEleney, Eoin Toal, Cameron McJannet; Ronan Boyce, Cameron Dummigan, Joe Thomson (Matty Smith 55), Danny Lafferty; Brandon Kavanagh (James Akintunde 79), Will Patching (Patrick McEleney 46), Jamie McGonigle.

Referee: Adriano Reale (Kildare).

Body*

by you3767 (632)

Facebook Like accountTwitter Follow account