Weather played part in victory – Lyttle
GERARD LYTTLE revealed that Saturday’s stormy weather prompted a tactical rethink that led to Sligo Rovers getting the hugely important win that leaves his side just a point from safety.
There was relief at the Showgrounds as Lyttle’s side secured the victory over Derry City that leaves the Bit O’Red in an extremely strong position with a game to go.
They travel to already relegated Drogheda on Friday knowing they just need to avoid defeat to stay in the top flight. Drogheda haven’t won in the league since April.
Victories for Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic over the weekend have relegated Finn Harps and left Galway United in a grim situation.
They need to beat Dundalk in Friday’s last round of games and hope that Sligo lose in Drogheda or St Patrick’s Athletic take nothing from their trip to face a Derry side that missed a chance here to move into third place.
The wind was against Kenny Shiels’ side from the outset and the hosts capitalised with a gust propelling Rhys McCabe’s ninthminute corner straight into the net.
Vinny Faherty pounced for the second just before the break, and Craig Roddan wrapped things up with a third late on, as Derry struggled with the conditions.
Lyttle said: “To be honest, we set out with a different team, and a different shape. But, when we came in and saw the conditions, we changed it.
“It’s very hard to do that, and it was probably unfair on one or two players, but we have a good set of lads and they understand what it means to this club to get results.
“Derry are a great team. They are one of the better – if not the best – team in the league in terms of playing football. It was important that we pressed them.”
SLIGO ROVERS – Patton, Adebayo-Rowling, Sharkey, Leahy, Donelon, Russell, Roddan, McCabe, McDonagh (Boylan 70), Moorehouse (Igiehon 90), Faherty (Keaney 81).
DERRY CITY – G Doherty, McDermott, Jarvis, Barry, Cole, McEneff (Dolny 85), McNamee, Monaghan (Low H/T), B Doherty (McIntyre H/T), Curtis, Patterson.
REF – N Doyle (Dublin).