Bohemians are made to battle

Wayside Celtic 1 Bohemians 2: Two early goals from striker Tony Grant sent Bohemians narrowly through to the quarter-finals and an away clash with Drogheda United after last night's scarcely deserved third round replay victory at Bray's Carlisle Grounds.

There were to be no further heroics from the Leinster Senior League side who had pulled back a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw in the first meeting at Dalymount Park last Friday.

Again Wayside trailed by two goals at the interval and even though a Wayne Callaghan penalty had them back in the game on 67 minutes, this time they could not penetrate the Bohemians defence a second time.

Bohemians had the perfect start with Wayside defender Wayne Callaghan misdirecting a back-pass on seven minutes into the path of Grant and he made no mistake shooting past goalkeeper Robbie O'Dowd.

It got worse for the FAI Intermediate Cup holders when Bohemians stretched their lead four minutes later when defender Damien O'Neill handled a shot from Fergal Harkin. Grant made no mistake with the penalty.

Only a brave late tackle by Alan Sharkey on Bohemians striker Stephen Ward prevented the Dalymount Park men adding a third goal.

Wayside at last showed penetration when a cross from Paddy Kavanagh on the right was headed away for a corner by Dessie Byrne with striker Gary Smith ready to pounce. Then, on the stroke of half-time, O'Neill had a volley from 22 yards just wide of the target.

Despite desperate efforts the last remaining non-league side in the competition could find no way past a well-organised Bohemians outfit in which player-coach Gareth Farrelly was always a steadying influence.

Strikers McHugh and Smith did cause a few anxious moments for the Bohemians defence, but lacked the finishing touch.

Wayside refused to lie down and pulled a goal back on 67 minutes when Wayne Callaghan rifled home a penalty after Ken Oman handled a cross by Ian Callaghan on the right.

Bohemians looked rattled and were often forced to play their 11 men back in defence as Wayside threw everything forward.

Smith went closest when just failing to get a touch to a low cross from Ian Callaghan after McHugh had created the opening down the right. Goalkeeper Matt Gregg twice came to the rescue late on for Bohemians when denying Les Flynn and substitute Collie Emmett with diving saves.

WAYSIDE CELTIC: O'Dowd; Simpson, Sharkey, O'Neill, Flynn (Gill 79 mins); Kavanagh, Thain, PCallaghan, W.Callaghan; Smith (Emmett 84 mins), McHugh.

BOHEMIANS: Gregg; Rice, Oman, D.Byrne, Keddy; Harkin, Hunt, Farrelly, Kelly; Grant, Ward.

Referee: Declan Hanney (Dublin).