Bit O'Red continue upward trajectory
Will Fitzgerald was on the scoresheet again for Sligo Rovers. Picture: INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon
Sligo Rovers are up to eighth in the League of Ireland Premier Division after they beat bottom side Waterford FC in the Showgrounds last Saturday evening.
In team news there was one change from the side that had beaten Bohs, with James McManus coming in for Alex Nolan.
Going into the game, it was clear that it was a must win for both sides. It was a cagey opening, but the game came to life as Rovers took the lead in the 18th minute. Waterford thought they had a shout for a penalty as Trae Coyle played the ball in from the left with Luke Heeney going down under a challenge from Rovers defender Ollie Denham.
The referee waived the claims away with Rovers goalkeeper Sam Sargeant launching the ball up the pitch. Cian Kavanagh got it out left for Will Fitzgerald and he fizzed a dangerous ball across the face of goal where Archie Meekison was on hand to side foot home from close range.
It was all Rovers for the rest of the half, and they should have doubled their lead in the 40th minute. Fitzgerald crossed from the left with Denham running onto it but he headed wide.
They had another good chance in the 44th minute when Meekison took a free from the left on the side of the box. He aimed it towards the back post where Sean McHale headed over from just under the crossbar.
Rovers did get a second 12 minutes into the second half. Jeannot Esua broke down the right and with his path crowded opted to play the ball back to Meekison. He put in a deep cross which Waterford keeper Arlo Doherty could only get a hand to, and Fitzgerald was on hand to put away the loose ball.
The visitors had a great chance to pull a goal back in the 65th minute. Jordan Huston crossed from the right with the ball headed away by Rovers defender Gareth McElroy. The ball dropped for Bernardo Couto whose first time left footed shot was brilliantly saved by Sargeant with Huston shooting the rebound over.
Rovers had a chance for a third in the 75th minute as McHale chipped in a short cross from the left finding Kavanagh and his headed effort was well saved by Doherty. Waterford did finish the game strong.
They had another good effort in the 82nd minute. Coyle with a well struck effort from outside the box that was kept out by a full stretch stop by Sargeant. Soon after it was Couto’s turn to have a go as he shot across the face of goal and wide in the 87th minute. They had two great chances in stoppage time to try and get on the scoresheet.
In the 93rd minute Coyle played a great ball into the box which played in Tommy Lonergan. He looked to place the ball into the bottom corner, but Sargeant got down well to make the save. Coyle sent over the resulting corner from the left finding John Mahon and his headed was saved by Sargeant with the ball cleared, as Rovers made it back-to-back league wins for the first time since last September.
Next up for Rovers they welcome high flying Dundalk to the Showgrounds this coming Saturday evening. Kick-off in the Showgrounds is at 7:45pm.
Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Gareth McElroy, Ollie Denham, Sean McHale; Jeannot Esua, Will Fitzgerald; Carl McHugh, James McManus; Daire Patton, Archie Meekison; Cian Kavanagh.
Subs: Shane Blaney and Alex Nolan (for McManus and Patton 77).
Waterford: Arlo Doherty; Alan Zborowski, John Mahon, Kevin Long, Bernardo Couto; Luke Heeney, Dean McMenamy, Evan McLaughlin; Trae Coyle, Jorgen Voilas; Padraig Amond.
Subs: Hayden Cann and Jordan Houston (for Voilas and Zborowski 41), Sam Glenfield and Conor Carty (for McMenamy and McLaughlin 60), Tommy Lonergan (for Amond 70).
REF: Arnold Hunter.
