Alan Reynolds says Bohemians enjoyed their emphatic win away to Sligo Rovers last week but that nobody is under any illusions about the challenge ahead of them when they travel to take on Derry City tomorrow night.
Bohs registered an impressive 4-0 win at the Showgrounds last Saturday, with little over a minute and a half on the clock when Dayle Rooney got on the scoresheet before Colm Whelan helped himself to a second-half hat-trick.
Reynolds said: “We were delighted with our performance last week. We were out of the traps early, something we didn’t do against St Pat’s in our opening game.
“You could see we were hungry in attack, our players wanted to make things happen and they got an early reward with the goal, with Dayle pouncing to capitalise on a mistake.
“If we had any criticism of the players on Saturday, it was that we didn’t make the most of the chances we had in the first half. We had the wind behind us, and created plenty of chances. I felt we should have been more than one goal up and in the back of your mind, you are thinking back to games last year where not taking our chances count ended up costing us.
“But I have to give credit to our players, we came out with the same energy and resolve in the second half. Sligo came at us a little in the opening period of the second half but we stood firm, defending from the front and taking the game to them when in possession.
“We got our reward again for that energy, we played some great stuff at times and everyone was delighted for Colly getting his hat-trick.
“His first goal in particular was a difficult one, he showed great composure to score from a really tight angle. We know how good he can be, and that’s his third hat-trick for the club name in under a year.
“He’s had tough periods in his career, difficult injuries that have set him back so to have that shot of confidence into his arm so early in the season is brilliant for him and brilliant for the team.
“He got a bit of love from the fans and players after the game, and it was brilliant to see. We had great numbers behind us, which in such terrible conditions was a big boost to the team, and the important thing for us was that between our performance and the goals we produced, we certainly gave them something to sing about.”
But facing into their third game of the new season, Bohs take on their toughest opponents yet at they travel to take on Tiarnan Lynch’s Candystripes, tipped as title challengers after strengthening considerably over the closed season following their second-placed finish last term.
Reynolds said: “Derry were already an excellent side last season and they’ve brought in some big names and serious experience ahead of this season.
“They have some of the best attacking players in the country. We know the damage they are capable of inflicting on teams before now, and they have added even more quality since.
“But we are relishing that challenge. We’re going up as underdogs to a packed Brandywell. There will be a hostile atmosphere with a big crowd behind Derry but that’s something we will embrace.
“You want your players to enjoy that kind of pressure, so we are going up there with real confidence, and determined to build on the good start that we have had.”
Team news
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