A tale of two penalties as Rovers beat Dundalk
Ellis Chapman of Sligo Rovers celebrates after he scored a penalty. Picture: INPHO
Their form may be inconsistent but Sligo Rovers remain very much in the hunt for European football as they came from behind to beat crisis club Dundalk 2-1 in the Showgrounds last Saturday evening to move them back up to fourth in the table. Dundalk also finished the game with ten as Hyaden Cann was sent off in the second half.
Rovers had the first chance of the game when in the 9th minute Simon Power mishit a shot into the path of Will Fitzgerald who shot low across goal and wide of the post.
Dundalk opened the scoring in the game in the 24th minute when they were awarded a penalty. Daryl Horgan crossed into the box with Gareth McElroy’s clearance hitting Ollie Denham and the referee ruled that it was an intentional handball and gave the spot kick. Benson stepped up to take it and despite Rovers keeper Ed McGinty getting two hands on it the ball hit off the inside of the post and went in.
Rovers could have been level in the 38th minute. Power picked the ball up on the right and opted to shoot from distance catching Dundalk keeper Ross Munro off guard with the ball hitting off the post. They had another chance just before half-time as Chapman picked out Reece Hutchinson on the left and his low shot was saved at the post by Munro.
Rovers had the first chance of the second half when nine minutes in Fitzgerald sent over a cross from the left with Power heading over. They should have been level two minutes after as Conor Malley picked out Hutchinson on the left. He crossed into the box where Denham’s header was saved by Munro who then reacted brilliantly to save the follow up from Fitzgerald.
Rovers were back on level terms in the 69th minute. Malley to Power on the left and he crossed to the front of the six-yard box where it was met by Wilson who met it with a back header that went over Munro and in.
Dundalk were then reduced to ten in the 74th minute as Luke Pearce got to the end of a long ball from Gareth McElroy and was through on goal only to be pulled down inside the box by Cann who was given a straight red card and Rovers awarded a penalty. Chapman stepped up to take it and made no mistake as he tucked the ball inside the post despite Munro going the right way.
Dundalk came close to snatching a point in stoppage time. Aodh Dervin found Robbie Mahon on the left and he crossed into the heart of the box where Jamie Gullan was in space. His point blank header with power was kept out by an incredible full stretch stop from McGinty as Rovers picked up the win.
Next up they are away to the league leaders Shelbourne this coming Friday evening, with kick-off in Tolka Park at 7:45pm.
