Rovers moving in right direction
By Sean Heffernan
It was a mixed week for Shamrock Rovers on the European and domestic front, as they exited the Europa League, and secured three valuable points away to Waterford.
The Hoops went into the match in the Friends Arena 1-0 down from the First-Leg, and knew they had to find the back of the net first if they were to have any real chance of progressing to the next round.
New signing Dylan Watts has strengthened the Rovers squad
It was another night to remember for 16-year-old Gavin Bazunu who kept his place in goal, as the away supporters hoped he would put in another stirring performance that defied his young age.
New signing Dylan Watts, who joined upon his release from Leicester City, also started the game, while Aaron Greene, a recent capture from Bray Wanders made a substitute appearance in the second-half.
Stephen Bradley’s side showed great intent from the off, with the team putting it up to their Swedish hosts and threatening Oscar Linner’s goal on numerous occasions.
All their hard work paid off in the 19th minute when an expertly struck Seán Kavanagh corner found the feet of Daniel Carr, who duly found the back of the net, and silence the boisterous home crowd.
Joel Coustrain should have doubled the Tallaght men’s lead on 33 minutes, but he shot straight at the advancing Linner when through on goal.
For the rest of the match the Rovers defence stuck to their task and repelled countless AIK attacks, and time after time their advances were thwarted by Roberto Lopes and Ethan Boyle in particular.
Indeed against the run of play Aaron Greene could have won the match with three minutes left on the clock, but his 87th minute header crashed off the post and went out for a goal kick.
Relentless pressure
AIK’s relentless pressure finally paid off when substitute Nicolas Stefanelli poked the ball home three minutes into Extra-Time, and the Stockholm side went through to the next round 2-1 on aggregate.
It was an agonising night all round for the Hoops, coming so close to beating their much-fancied opponents, but thoughts would soon turn to the match league match against Waterford four days later.
With the Blues sitting in third place, and seven points ahead of their fourth placed opponents, it was vital that Bradley’s men gained the three points on offer, if they were to entertain hopes of once more securing European football next season.
The match saw the return of goalkeeper Alan Mannus to the first team, who recently rejoined the club from St Johnstone in Scotland.
The match lived up to the hype, with both sides going at it with all guns blazing, forcing both keepers into a number of top-drawer saves.
The home fans were screaming for a penalty midway through the first-half, when United striker Courtney Duffus was brought down in the box by Seán Kavanagh, but the referee waved away the protests, much to the away sides relief.
Sensational double save
Bastien Hery couldn’t believe his luck when Mannus denied him a sure-fire goal with a sensational double save in the second half.
The away side found the back of the net on 74 minutes when Sam Bone – who came on in the 12th minute for the injured Ethan Boyle – saw his cross meet the head of Gary Shaw, and he was to seal all three points for the Hoops.
The win sees the race for that all coveted third spot narrow to four points, with nine league games left to play.
Next up for the Tallaght men is the visit of Sligo Rovers, and with their fortunes of late, they will be hopeful of further closing the gap on Waterford.
The Bit o’ Red lie 8th in the Airtricity League table, and their performances have gone downhill since they drew 0-0 in May.
So, while they can be justifiably proud of the performance they put it in Europe, the Hoops know all too well they cannot rest on their laurels, and will need to notch up a few wins on the bounce if they are to once again be in the hat for next year’s Europa League draw.
TAGS Sport
