Derry City manager Ruahidhri Higgins
A 1-0 defeat to Drogehda last Sunday at United Park knocked the Candystripes off its European course.
But it is all to play for at the Ryan McBride Brandywell stadium tonight as both City and Bohs search for the three points which would greatly boost their chances of European football in 2022.
Just two points separates the sides in fourth and fifth place with four league matches to play before the season is wrapped up on Friday, November 19 when both teams having away fixtures: Derry travel to Dundalk and Bohs go to Sligo Rovers.
A win tonight for Derry City would see them go five points clear of their opponents, and they could also overtake Sligo Rovers in third place if other results go their way.
City boss Ruaidhri Higgins is fully aware of the importance of tonight’s game in front of a packed Brandywell crowd.
“It’s a big opportunity at home.“Our home form in the last month or two has been very, very good and hopefully there is more of the same,” said Higgins who has helped turn around City’s fortunes since taking charge in April this year.
“There’s been nothing in the games between the teams this season; they are two hungry teams with loads of energy and I’m sure it will be exciting.
“Hopefully our crowd can make as much noise as they did in the last home game, and they can play a big part. Our players are thriving on playing at home and they are really enjoying it.”
Both teams go into the game on the back of surprise defeats, City losing 1-0 at Drogheda on Sunday past while Bohs lost at home to Waterford.
It took a wonder goal from Georgie Kelly to save Bohs a point against Derry in their 3-3 meeting at Dalymount just last month and based on that, and current form, Higgins is expecting plenty of goals in this one.
Added Higgins: “It should be an exciting game. I don’t think either team is particularly good at sitting in and protecting so it would make for an entertaining game.
“We just need to play on the front foot, remain positive and keep the momentum going that we’ve gathered.”
City will be without suspended midfielder Jack Malone, and on-loan Bastien Hery, but there is some good news in the return to action of winger Marc Walsh, who scored a last-gasp equaliser against Bohemians at the Brandywell back in June.
Walsh missed 15 games before appearing as a late substitute against Drogheda, and he followed that up with 45 minutes in City’s U19 Enda McGuill Cup win over Bohemians.
Bohs are expected to be without Stephen Mallon who has a hip injury.
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