Goals from Jonathan Afolabi and Dean Williams propel Bohemians top of the Premier Division while St Pat’s Athletic lose again

JONATHAN AFOLABI made sure his “Detser” was repaid as he sent the Bohemians back to the top of the table with a win over St Patrick’s Athletic.

The attacker headed home his first goal of the season and ran to celebrate with coach Derek ‘Detser’ Pender, who had caught him for a few in-game tips just before.

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And Bohs’ night was concluded in added time when Dean Williams capitalized on a poor St Pat’s defense to score his first goal for the club.

But the early stages of the night belonged to former Celtic killer Afolabi.

What Pender told him had the desired effect and got the 23-year-old’s season off the ground.

It happened during a break in play at around 15 minutes when Saints defender Tom Grivosti walked off injured – and “Detser” could be seen huddled with Afolabi.

And two minutes later, the striker was back on the sidelines to celebrate as he ran towards Pender after scoring his first goal of the season.

It was a real striker finish. He climbed highest at the far post and headed in Ali Coote’s cross from the left after a good build-up.

But it was the former Irish underage star’s all-around display, packed with pace and power, that will give Saints backers nightmares.

When the ball was played to his feet, he was able to put it down and turn quickly, his movement being so fluid that the St Pat skipper received a warning for dodging it out of the way at the halfway line.

When Bohs went wide and needed to win the ball in the air, his presence meant referee Neil Doyle often awarded him a free kick.

And goalkeeper David Odumosu knew he always had to be on guard as, at another stage, he was nearly caught off the ball charging down a back pass.

He also started a couple of tackles before being substituted off injured in the 57th minute.

Even as he hobbled away to be replaced by Williams, he worried St Pat’s fans, who were unimpressed by any waste of time.

But those fans had enough frustration with their own team losing three times in a row.

While losing a derby in front of a packed house can hurt, after a sequence that includes a 5-0 draw in Dundalk and a 2-1 loss to ten-man Sligo Rovers, you should start and expect boos.

There was plenty early in the second half as Estonian midfielder Vladislav Kreida went behind from a free kick.

And there were some – not many, but enough to be heard – comments aimed at boss Tim Clancy in the final stages.

EXPECT MORE

It’s clear that the home fans expect more. They have only seen two home goals so far this season, both from set pieces. And last night it looked like her best way to the gate again.

Joe Redmond forced James Talbot to make a fine save from a corner early in the second half, just before Jake Mulraney failed to deflect a Kreida cross into goal.

But when Jamie Lennon was sent off for a second yellow card in the 72nd minute after a late challenge against Paddy Kirk, it was game over for the Saints.

They pushed forward but managed little while Bohs came close to a second through Jordan Flores and Adam McDonnell.

Williams sealed the deal in stoppage time, coming home after Grant Horton stole the ball from Saints keeper Odumosu in his area to knock off the striker.

SUNSTAR MAN

Jonathan AfolabiBohs

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Odumosu 6; Grivosti 5 (Lewis 15,6), Redmond 6, McGrath 6 (Carty 77,6); Curtis 7, Kreida 6, Lennon 5, Breslin 7; Forrester 5, Mulraney 6 (Atakayi 70 6); Lonergan 6 (E Doyle 70, 6).

BOHEMIA: Talbot 7; Horton 7, Nowak 7, Radkowski 7, Kirk 7; McManus 7, Flores 7; Coote 7, McDonnell 7 (Clarke 87, 6), Akintunde 7 (McDaid 63, 6); Afolabi 8 (Williams 57, 6).

REFEREE:N Doyle (Dublin) 6.