Rovers edged in five goal thriller in season opener
Tommy Lonergan of Waterford heads his side's second goal during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Sligo Rovers and Waterford at The Showgrounds in Sligo. Phicture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Waterford continue to be something of a bogey side for Sligo Rovers as they edged them out by the odd goal in five in the Showgrounds last Saturday evening.
In Rovers team news there were debuts for new signings Sam Sargeant, Oskar Van Hattum, Matty Wolfe, Hadkiki and Kavanagh and the hosts started the game on the front foot, going close after five minutes as Reece Hutchinson picked out Will Fitzgerald on the left. He swung the ball into the box where it was met by Elding but his effort was too close to Waterford keeper Stephen McMullan.
Seven minutes later and Rovers found themselves a goal down. Wolfe was dispossessed outside the box by McDonald and his resulting shot from outside the box bounced pas the outstretched hand of Sargeant into the net.
Rovers had a chance to draw level in the 23rd minute as Hakiki cut in from the right with his low drive being saved at the near post by McMullan. Just after the half hour mark, Rovers found themselves two down. Noonan sent in a free from the left which McDonald headed back across goal for Lonergan to nod in from close range. Elding and Hakiki had a couple of efforts for Rovers towards the end of the half but neither had enough on their respective shots to trouble McMullan in the Waterford goal.
Five minutes into the second half and Rovers pulled a goal back. Conor Malley with a ball down the left for Fitzgerald. He worked his way into the box before squaring it for Elding who side-footed home for his first senior goal for the club. The sides could have been level as Rovers were awarded a penalty in the 57th minute after Fitzgerald had been clipped inside the box by Dean McMeanamy. Kavanagh stepped up to take it against his former club but McMullan got down well to his left to make the save. That miss was punished on the double as Waterford got their third a minute later. Noonan playing a one-two with Padraig Amond on a quick counter attack before slotting the ball low under the oncoming Sargeant. Hakiki was proving a lively outlet for Rovers and he nearly got his side’s second in the 76th minute as he got to the end of a ball over the top from Malley. He controlled with his chest before seeing his effort on the bounce saved by McMullan.
Hakiki was rewarded for his efforts when he got Rovers second in the 82nd minute. Van Hattum with a ball down the right channel which the former Dundalk man wrapped his foot around smashing the ball in off the underside of the crossbar. Rovers poured forward in search of an equaliser which they nearly got in the 99th minute. Malley picked out Fitzgerald on the left and he cut along the byline and into the box, with his shot hitting off the top of the crossbar. The rebound fell for Elding who looked certain to score only to be denied on the line by Waterford defender Ryan Burke.
Next up for Rovers they are away to Drogheda United this coming Friday evening. Kick-off in Weavers Park is at 7:45pm.
REF: Damien McGrath
