Honours even again in the Connacht Derby
Sligo Rovers manager John Russell pictured before the Bit O'Red's game with Galway United. Picture: INPHO/Ben Brady
Once again there was no separating either side in the second Connacht Derby of the new season as the game between Galway United and Sligo Rovers finished in a goalless draw in Eamonn Deacy Park last Friday evening. United will feel more aggrieved with the point as they created the most chances although Rovers could have snatched the win right at the death.
In team news there was one change to the Rovers side that had beaten St. Patrick’s Athletic the week previous with J.R. Wilson coming in for Conor Reynolds.
United started well and got a chance to take the lead on the quarter hour mark. Ed McCarthy with a deep ball in from the right that was met by the head of Killian Brouder with a Rovers defender able to make the block.
Two minutes later, they threatened again as David Hurley crossed from the left picking out Robert Slevin who headed wide. United were getting a lot of joy on the wings and that continued on 21 minutes when Hurley played a ball from the right to the feet of Jeannot Esua. He chipped it into the box where Patrick Hickey headed wide.
Hickey had another effort soon after when he had a shot from just outside the box saved by Rovers keeper Ed McGinty. The home side had the first chance of the second half when two minutes in Al Amin Kazeem picked out Hurley on the left. His cross was met by Hurley who got to it ahead of McGinty and knocked it down for Stephen Walsh who failed to hit the target as he lashed the ball over.
The first decent chance for Rovers came on 53 minutes as they won a corner on the left. Fabrice Hartmann aimed it towards the front post where it was met by Connor Malley who flashed his header wide of the upright.
On the hour mark United went close again. A quick break down the right saw Maurice Nugent whip a dangerous ball across the Rovers goal and Walsh got his foot to it but again put it over the bar. They went closer on 74 minutes. McCarthy with a long throw in from the right into the box where Nugent was standing in front of McGinty and his back header hit off the top of the crossbar and went over. They had yet another chance three minutes into stoppage time when Hurley played a ball in from the right where Leo Gaxha headed it down for Wassim Aouachria whose snap half volley was brilliantly saved by McGinty.
There was still time for one more chance and it was for Rovers six minutes into injury time Malley played a ball forward for Wilson Waweru to chase, he got in behind two United defenders and top poked the ball past the oncoming Brendan Clarke only for it to go narrowly wide of the post. Rovers are back in action this coming Friday evening and Bohemians FC will be the opponent. Kick-off in the Showgrounds is at 7:45pm.
