Battling Bohs fall to Borisov sucker punch

BATE Borisov 1 Bohemians 0

The Gypsies fell to a 24th-minute sucker-punch by the Belarus side when the stormy conditions contrived to help Yevgeni Loshankov’s weak shot slip under goalkeeper Matt Gregg and over the line.

Bohemians started the stronger in a game played against a backdrop of thunder, lightning and torrential rain.

Glen Crowe worried the home defence on seven minutes, but he lobbed a Damien Lynch through-ball high and wide of the target.

An unmarked Stephen Caffrey headed over the crossbar from 10 yards after 17 minutes and Robbie Doyle’s 41st-minute free-kick curled just wide of home goalkeeper Yuri Zhevnov’s left-hand post.

Gregg had to be sharp early in the second-half to deny substitute Igor Chumachenko’s well-hit free-kick, while Crowe twice saw headed efforts saved by Zhevnov.

Bohemians’ right-back Lynch did well to block a Loshankov shot on 58 minutes.

The Eircom League champions continued to press, but a strong Borisov backline repelled anything that was thrown at them.

Bobby Ryan was replaced by Fergal Harkin late in the game and it was the substitute’s late cross that had Zhevnov flapping, but Crowe could not turn and slot the ball into an empty net from six yards.

Bohemians will be confident they can turn the tie around in Dublin, with manager Stephen Kenny declaring: “They’re unlikely to beat us at home.”

Borisov boss Yuri Puntus added: “I didn’t expect them to be as skilful as they were. I expected a tough game and it really was.”

BATE BORISOV: Zhevnov, Likhtarovich, Baga, Mardas, Stripeikis (Chumachenko 46), Loshankov, Shkabara (Rubnenko 78), Tarasenko, Shmigero, Begansky (Kobets 68), Molosh.

BOHEMIANS: Gregg, Lynch, Webb, Hunt, Heary, Hawkins, Ryan (Harkin 79), Caffrey, Robbie Doyle (Keegan 82), Crowe, Rutherford.