Bohs leave it late to deny Rovers opening day win
Ellis Chapman of Sligo Rovers in action against Martin Miller of Bohemians at Dalymount Park last Friday. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
A late James Clarke goal denied Sligo Rovers an opening day win in the new SSE Airtricity League season as they drew 2-2 with Bohemians last Friday evening.
A goal from Sten Reinkort had given Bohs the lead but Rovers were leading going into stoppage time thanks to efforts from Reece Hutchinson and Fabrice Hartmann before Clarke’s late leveller denied them the three points.
Ed McGinty and Max Mata made their returns and Rovers debuts for new signings J.R. Wilson, Oliver Denham, Simon Power, Ellis Chapman and Conor Malley.
Bohs opened the scoring inside five minutes. Robert Cornwall with a long ball out of defence which was taken down by Reinkort. The Estonian then played a couple of one-twos with James Clarke, the second of which saw him in on goal and he dinked the ball past the oncoming McGinty in the Rovers goal.
Somewhat against the run of play Rovers drew level on 23 minutes. Niall Morahan played the ball into the feet of Conor Malley. He laid it off to Hutchinson who was initially denied by Bohs keeper Kacper Chorazka but the ball rebounded back off the Rovers defender and into the net.
They nearly added a second soon after when Mata created space for Simon Power but his low drive was too close to Chorazka.
Rovers took the lead in first half stoppage time. Malley sent over a corner from the left which was cleared away by the Bohs defence. Hartmann was in bravely to head the ball down for himself and he then weaved his way into the box before shooting low through the legs of Chorazka.
Bohs had a chance to draw level ten minutes into the second half when they won a free kick just outside of the box. Jordan Flores stepped up to take it and side-foot it low past the wall with McGinty getting down well to turn the ball over for a corner.
Bohs were on top but Rovers were resilient although the woodwork did come to their rescue on 79 minutes. Martin Miller with a cross from the right which was met by a header from Dylan Connolly with the ball hitting off the crossbar.
Four minutes into stoppage time and Bohs did draw level. Clarke starting and finishing a move to break Rovers hearts. The Bohs player got the ball in midfield and played it to Martin Miller. He then laid it off to his right to Dylan Connolly who crossed into the box where Clarke had continued his run and who scored with a bullet header.
Rovers are back in action this coming Saturday evening as they welcome Derry City to the Showgrounds for their first home league game of the new season at 7:45pm.
