Mervue Utd 4-2 Bohemians (Airtricity Under 19 League)

Two goals each from strikers Ryan Manning and Padraic Cunningham ensured the under 19's ran out 4-2 winners over Bohemians at a sunny Fahy's Field on Saturday afternoon.

Ryan Manning opened the scoring after just 11 minutes shooting past Bohs keeper Mark Osborne after a pass from Dillon Murphy. The visitors responded immediately as they level matters within sixty seconds as Fionn Reilly finished at the back post for 1-1.

The home side were back in front four minutes before the break following a good move down the right wing. Dillon Murphy did well on the right before picking out Padraic Cunningham with the cross and he powerfully blasted the ball past Osborne for 2-1 interval lead.

That advantage was doubled 12 minutes after the restart when a mix up in the Bohs defence saw Josh Kennedy head the ball back to keeper Osborne who failed to hold onto the ball and Cunningham nipped in to squeeze the loose ball home into the far corner from a tight angle for 3-1.

Manning then doubled his tally for the afternoon as he made it 4-1 on 67 minutes when he finished Cunningham's cross to the net after good work from Eric Neary down the right wing.

Bohs keeper denied Cunningham a hat-trick when he produced a top class save from the striker after his header from an excellent Gary Bailey left wing cross looked destined for the top corner only for the keeper to push the ball around the post for a corner.

Osborne then denied both Dean Tierney and Cunningham again after that with good saves before the visitors pulled a late consolation goal back.

Sub Adam Kelly did well on the left before picking out Paddy Collins who finished past James Healy for 4-2 with six minutes remaining.

Mervue Utd continue to lead the way at the top of the Southern Division with nine points from three games and next weekend they face an away trip to Longford Town.

Mervue Utd: James Healy, Eric Neary, Gary Bailey, Matty Flynn, Paul Healy; Dillon Murphy, Moise Assogba, Stephen Killeen (Dean Tierney 25), Michael James (Aaron McDonagh 70); Ryan Manning, Padraic Cunningham (Andrew Connolly 81). Subs not used: Cian De Lamport, Maccon Byrne, Peter Healy (GK)

Bohemians: Mark Osborne, Ryan Hughes, Shane Maloney, Josh Kennedy, Aaron Henderson; Luke Kelly, Paddy Collins, Ryan Nolan, Fionn Reilly (Adam Kelly 65); Eoin Rodes (Reece Duffy 65), Jake Hyland. Subs not used: Jack Carey, Aaron Harding, Gary Naghten, Keith Mahoney and Jack Menton (GK).

Referee: Conor Fitzgerald