Rovers look to bounce back in league against Sligo in Tallaght
By Sean Heffernan
Shamrock Rovers take on Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium tonight, hoping to get back to winning ways after tasting defeat in Waterford, reports Sean Heffernan.
Following the recent hard fought victories over St Patricks Athletic and Limerick, the hoops fans were understandably feeling rather confident going into the game. However new singing Ally Gilchrist was sent off after just ten minutes as Stephen Bradley's charges went down 2-1 to the hosts.
Credit to Richie J. P for photo
Waterford opened the scoring on 32 minutes, when Luke Byrne failed to deal with a Dylan Barnett cross, allowing Courtney Duffus slot the ball under Tomer Chencinski in the Rovers goal.
It took just two minutes for the visitors to draw level with Graham Burke curling a well hot strike just under the post to make it 1-1.
But joy was soon to turn to despair, as once again, a lapse on concentration from the Rovers defence allowed Stanley Aborah steal the ball just outside the box, and passed the ball to Gavan Holohan, who then spotted Duffus once again in a prime goalscoring position and the on-loan Oldham Athletic striker scored his second of the game, which gave the Blues all three points at the final whistle.
Sligo have lost four of their opening seven games to date, losing 2-0 to Dundalk in their last outing.
With an array of quality players having signed in pre-season, Rovers on paper should have more than enough in the tank to see off the challenge of the “bit o’ red”, and keep up the pressure on the teams ahead of them in the table.
Three points difference
After seven games there is only three points in the difference between first placed Cork City, and the Hoops in fourth with the Tallaght men still very much in the hunt for the Airtricity League title.
With crucial tie away to Dundalk a week later, victory against Dave Robertson’s side tomorrow night is vital if they are to maintain a realistic push to take top spot at the end of the season.
With the Hoops Graham Burke on fire and leading the goalscoring charts with an impressive seven goals, the smart money is on the home side grabbing all three points on offer in Tallaght.
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