Galway United face arguably their most difficult test of the season to date as they travel to Dalymount Park tomorrow night to take on the league leaders.
They do so after a mixed start to the season. Most performances have provided positives, but it is clear that they will have to battle this season.
They deserved more from their last trip to the capital, with Pat’s punishing them with a late winner after a gritty performance.
One can only expect similar rearguard action tomorrow. Bohs have been impressive in a number of ways since the start of the season. The only goals they have conceded were two injury-time goals in the Dublin Derby when 3-0 up against their old foes.
Their four clean sheets owe a lot to Patrick Hickey who has been towering at the back for Bohs. The form of Dawson Devoy has finally demanded attention from the international set-up while Colm Whelan looks something like his best after a dreadful run of injuries.
Yet they are mostly a known entity and United will not be overawed. The 2-0 win in Dalymount Park last season, in a game that will be forever remembered for Moses Dyer’s brace, should still offer some encouragement to those that remain at the club.
More immediately, the sight of Frantz Pierrot getting some minutes offers more reason for optimism. There is a sense that the striker will be key to United’s success this season. Kris Twardek looks like he will help to carry some water. The former Bohs player was impressive again off the bench last week and was rewarded with his second goal as a substitute.
For the second time in a week, John Caulfield took action in the first half and made a telling change. It had been a pedestrian first period. United seemed to carry the aches and scars of battle from Monday night in Inchicore and duly fell a goal behind.
United were transformed in the first 30 minutes of the second half and could have been out of sight. However, Bobby Burns struck in the 82nd minute and United had to cling on at the end after being comfortable.
It was a frustrating end to an evening that had provided much encouragement. United are in the midst of a busy period, with another three games in seven days to negotiate. The Waterford fixture on Monday, sandwiched in between trips to Bohs and Rovers, feels initially like the crucial fixture of the bunch.
However, there are 18 games still to be negotiated against the Dublin teams and Derry. Even after just five rounds of fixtures, there is an evident gulf. No team outside of this group has taken the scalp of a suggested top five side to date.
It can offer a point of differentiation for United going forward. John Caulfield’s side proved in Tolka and Inchicore that they will make life difficult for the top teams. Bohs should expect no different tomorrow night.
