Sligo Rovers produced a lacklustre performance against table-summit rivals St Patrick’s on Friday evening, collapsing to a 2-0 defeat in Richmond Park. Matthew Smith and Ronan Coughlan (our former talisman) scored the goals either side of half-time due to some unimpressive Rovers defending.
Liam Buckley made one change from the reverse fixture, with Lewis Banks replacing the injured Garry Buckley, who is proving to be a big loss on this side. Pats also kept 10 players from the game in the Showgrounds, with Sam Bone being replaced by Robbie Benson.
Rovers started the game poorly, conceding as early as 7 minutes in after Jordan Gibson coughed up possession to Alfie Lewis, who played in Robbie Benson but the Saint was dispossessed by John Mahon in vain as Matty Smith struck home in the bottom corner. The half really wouldn’t get any better for Rovers as the Inchicore boys forced us to camp in our own half for the majority of the period.
Whatever Liam Buckley said at half time must have invigorated the Bit O’Red as the lads came out swinging for the second half. Rovers controlled the game for much of the half, creating opportunities and carving chances until the 72nd minute, when an incisive break from Pats led to Greg Bolger tripping up Matty Smith in the box led to a penalty, which Ronan Coughlan duly converted. After this, Pats were content to let us have the ball as a lack of penetration in possession led us to a comprehensive defeat.
Oh well. Next up is Derry City away from home on Monday. Join us then for another report.
Teams
SLIGO ROVERS: E McGinty, C Horgan, J Mahon, L Banks (J Kenny 83), R McCourt (R Donelon 44), N Morahan (D Kane 83), G Bolger, M Byrne (S Blaney 83), J Gibson, R Parkes, W Figueira (D Cawley 66).
ST PATS: V Jaroš, I Bermingham, L Desmond, A Lewis, P Barrett, J Mountney, C Forrester, R Benson (J Lennon), B King (D Burns 62), M Smith (I McClelland 87), R Coughlan.
REF:
Rovers Ratings
Ed McGinty: 6 – Wasn’t at fault for either goal and made good saves throughout.
Colm Horgan: 6 – Back in the squad for this game, didn’t stick out but he wasn’t awful.
Lewis Banks: 6 – Did his best in an unfamiliar role. Taken off for Kenny late on.
John Mahon: 6 – Somewhat to blame for the first goal but he did well aside from that.
Robbie McCourt: 6 – Unfortunate to play up the knock. We wish him all the best.
Greg Bolger: 6 – Gave away the penalty but he was aggressive throughout.
Niall Morahan: 6 –Was well marshalled by the Pats midfielders. Came off for Kane with not long to play.
Walter Figueira: 6 – Wasn’t able to dribble at the Pats defence. Cawley came on for him with 25 to play.
Jordan Gibson: 6 – The Pats defenders knew him from his time there and dealt with him accordingly (had a cool nutmeg in the first half too so bonus points for that)
Romeo Parkes: 6 – Had flashes but was largely isolated up top.
Mark Byrne: 5 – Wasn’t at his best on the right. Came off for Blaney after 83 minutes.
Regan Donelon: 6 – Did well deputising for McCourt.
David Cawley: 6 – Wasn’t bad when he came on.
Johnny Kenny: N/A – Only had 10 minutes.
Shane Blaney: N/A – Only had 10 minutes x2.
Danny Kane: N/A – Only had 10 minutes x3.