Super Rovers stun league leaders
Sligo Rovers manager John Russell after his sides surprise victory over Shelbourne. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
Sligo Rovers produced their best performance of the season to date as they defeated league leaders Shelbourne away in Tolka Park last Friday evening.
The home side made a good start to the game and a chance to open the scoring on 11 minutes. Evan Caffrey sent Matty Smith racing down the right and he cut into the box but was denied by a smart save from Rovers keeper Ed McGinty. The Rovers’ keeper was called into action again ten minutes later as Sean Gannon sent a low ball in from the right that came through to William Jarvis. He took a touch before shooting with McGinty standing tall to make the save.
A minute later and Rovers stunned the home crowd by taking the lead. McGinty with a long goal kick that was headed on by Ellis Chapman to Barlow. He controlled it well before shooting through the legs of a defender and across goal and inside the post.
Shelbourne had a chance to go in level at half time on 37 minutes when Smith backheeled a pass into the path of Boyd but his shot was bravely blocked by Rovers defender J.R. Wilson.
They started the second half as they did the first on the front foot and did get an equaliser in the 58 minutes. They won a corner on the right which was cleared by the Rovers defence. Jarvis knocked it back forward where Boyd picked it up on the edge of the area and he switched it from his right foot to his left before placing the ball past the outstretched hand of McGinty and inside the post.
Rovers had a chance to go back in front when then won a free on the right about 25 yards out. Hartmann took it and dinked it over the wall only for the ball to come back off the post with the keeper beaten.
They did retake the lead on 69 minutes. Stefan Radosavljevic picked up the ball in midfield and played a brilliant no look pass which split the Shelbourne defence and played in Hartmann. He calmly shot first time past the advancing Shelbourne keeper Conor Kearns.
The home side through everything at Rovers in the dying minutes of the game as they searched for another leveller. On 85 minutes Liam Burt put in a deep cross from the right towards the back post where Boyd was waiting but he couldn't find a way past McGinty who made the block. Three minutes later and they went close again as Paddy Barrett came forward from defence and played a ball down the middle which the Rovers defence couldn't clear. It came through to John Martin but his low shot was saved by McGinty.
Rovers were back in action yesterday (Monday) evening as they took on Drogheda United in the Showgrounds. They will be on the road again this coming Friday as they are away to Waterford, kick-off in the Regional Sports Centre is at 7:45pm.
