Two late goals from Shaun Maher and Trevor Molloy enabled Bohemians to record a famous victory in last night's thrilling UEFA Cup preliminary round, first leg tie in front of 13,638 fans at Pittodrie. It was no more than Bohemians deserved after outwitting the Scottish Premier Division side, both in skill and commitment.
Now the Dublin side must have an excellent chance of reaching the first round proper of the competition with the second leg against Aberdeen scheduled for Tolka Park on Wednesday week. Roddy Collins had promised that his team would not be found wanting and his men delivered on the manager's words with a stirring display that ranks among one of the great results by an Irish club in Europe and brought back memories of the club's 3-2 win over Rangers at Dalymount Park in 1984. An indication of what was to follow came as early as the fourth minute when Mark Dempsey found Molloy clear on the left. But his angled shot from 10 yards was narrowly wide of the upright with goalkeeper Ryan Esson beaten.
On the few occasions on which their rearguard was threatened, Bohemians proved adept at containing the home side. Rob Bowman denied Moroccan international Hicham Zerouali with a timely interception With skipper Kevin Hunt and Liam O'Brien outstanding in midfield, Bohemians always looked in control. And Molloy again went close only for Esson to grab the ball at the second attempt. Aberdeen's frustrations were apparent after 24 minutes when Dave Hill was fouled by Darren Young, who was then yellow-carded.
A long-range effort from O'Brien was gathered at the second attempt by Esson and then Molloy set up a chance for Hunt, who shot wide when it might have paid better dividends to pass to Dave Morrison.
With Maher outstanding in defence, Bohemians were rarely threatened, although Andy Dow did have one 20-yard shot grabbed by the diving Wayne Russell.
Bohemians began the second half again firing on all cylinders, Molloy and Hunt going close.
Zerouali twice went close for the home side after rare defensive lapses by the visitors' rearguard. And Bohemians had a real let-off on the hour following a near disastrous back-pass by Maher. Hill collided with Russell, but fortunately the ball was deflected for a throw-in. Aberdeen snatched the lead on 62 minutes when a clever ball from Dow was not properly controlled by the hesitant Hill. Robbie Winters had the simple task of sidefooting home past Russell.
But Bohemians refused to lie down and were deservedly level just nine minutes from the end when a Molloy corner on the left was gleefully headed home by the unmarked Maher from six yards. Aberdeen panicked totally in the dying minutes and Bohemians secured a certain victory with a goal in the dying seconds after Mark Perry had taken down Darren O'Keeffe inside the box. Molloy made no mistake from the penalty spot, rifling the ball high into the left-hand corner.
It was the first ever victory by an Irish club on Scottish soil in European competition. Now Bohemians can make more history by becoming the first Irish side to defeat Scottish opposition over two legs at Tolka Park on Thursday week.
ABERDEEN: Esson; Rowson, Perry, McGuire, McNaughton; Darren Young, Jess , Dow, Stavrum, Zerouali, Winters. Subs: Derek Young for Zerouali, 66 mins, Clark for Stavrum (78 mins).
BOHEMIANS: Russell; Bowman, Maher, Hill, Webb; Morrison, O'Keeffe, Hunt, O'Brien, Dempsey; Molloy. Subs: O'Connor for Morrison (52 mins), Crowe for O'Brien (68 mins).
