Connor bites back as goals fly in

Seán Connor has hit back at his critics following Bohemians' five star display against Longford Town, insisting the best is yet to come from his side.

The Dubliners scored five goals against a woefully disappointing Longford at Dalymount Park, doubling their goal tally in the process after 10 league games.

The side's lack of goals until then had been highlighted by supporters and media, but Connor claims a performance like Friday's was always coming,

"It was just a normal game. You boys (journalists) must be happy because you were worried about the lack of goals.  I was sleeping perfectly as I like to keep clean sheets.

"We've doubled our goal tally, so all the journalists and everybody else who was worried about us can go sleep soundly now.

"We showed good discipline keeping a clean sheet and that's what we're all about.  It's easy to go three goals up and take the foot off the pedal but I don't think we did that."

A hat-trick for striker Glen Crowe and one apiece from John Paul Kelly and Stephen Rice saw Bohemians comfortably on top, hitting form ahead of the weekend's trip to Cork City.

"I think that performance was coming but obviously I was the only person who did," Connor added.

"If we keep clean sheets, the players in this team will score.  It's a good way to go to Cork. If we go down there and keep another we've every chance of taking three points.  The crisis, or whatever you guys call it, will be gone."

Connor's counterpart Alan Matthews made no attempt to hide his disappointment at his side's error strewn performance.

Calamitous defending from the outset set the tone and Bohemians took advantage in ruthless fashion.

"It was appalling, we got what we deserved which was nothing," said the Longford boss.

"We contributed to every one of their goals.  It was just downright bad defending.  We didn't look after the fundamentals of the game."

Ahead of the tie Matthews had reason for optimism as Longford were four games unbeaten after a sluggish start to the season.

The players, he said, will always accept a defeat if they've given an honest account of themselves but a performance was absent at Dalymount.

"We had got ourselves into the pack with recent results," he said.   "But we contributed to our own downfall against Bohemians.

"If someone is going to beat you, let them beat you.  Don't hand them it on a plate.  We did that consistently and were a soft touch.  But I'm confident I can get a positive reaction.

"There's character in the squad and a dynamic there.  We'll be competitive to the death.  It didn't happen against Bohemians but we'll make sure it doesn't happen again."