RoversR shock Dundalk to win 3- 0 at Oriel Park
SLIGO Rovers pulled off one of the results of the season, hitting Dundalk for three to shock the league leaders on their own patch on Saturday night.
Heading into this game, Rovers had not scored since the very end of August, a run of five games without a goal.
But that didn’t mean they were short on confidence and Achille Campion got them up and running with mere seconds played when he pressurised Gary Rogers into making an error, coolly slotting into the back of the net.
Phil Roberts made it 2- 0 before half- time with a wonderful strike of his own having come off the bench in place of the injured Campion, who is expected to be fit for this Friday’s game against Longford Town.
Rovers were reduced to ten men in the second- half, but it mattered little as Raffaele Cretaro struck with an excellent finish, beating his former team- mate Gary Rogers with his tenth goal of the season.
That is some feat for the Tubbercurry man, who had not scored a goal in the last two seasons.
Rovers will take on Longford Town at The Showgrounds on Friday night, with the midlands side hoping to avoid automatic relegation, although it is looking as though they will need some kind of godly miracle if they are to beat the drop.
Rovers may have to make do with a number of suspensions, although Robertson says he is confident that both John Russell and Achille Campion will be fit for the crucial game, as Rovers look to maintain fifth spot, with just three games remaining this season.
DUNDALK SLIGO ROVERS 0 3 THE title race has been opened once again as Sligo Rovers pulled off one of the results of the season with a 3- 0 victory over league leaders Dundalk at Oriel Park on Saturday evening.
Four points ahead of Cork City in second, a victory would have eased the pressure on Dundalk slightly as they prepare to host the Leesiders tonight in a huge game in Louth.
But Sligo Rovers didn’t read the script and stormed to an impressive victory over Stephen Kenny’s men, who had no answer to what Rovers threw at them.
Few would have expected Dundalk to be so well beaten, but Rovers have developed a habit of upsetting the odds this season, both in their favour and against.
The Bit o’Red went ahead with mere seconds on the clock thanks to Achille Campion who capitalised on a Gary Rogers error before substitute Philip Roberts made it 2- 0 before half- time.
Dundalk made several changes to try and give a sufficient response to Rovers’ dominance, but Raffaele Cretaro scored one of his finest goals to put the final nail in the coffin for the Lilywhites who were shell- shocked.
Having struggled to hit the back of the net for the previous five games, most would have expected the Bit o’Red to be short on confidence in front of goal.
But French man Campion proved that wasn’t the case just after kick- off when a short back pass caught Gary Rogers off guard, the Meath man missing the ball before just scrambling it off the line.
Campion was alert and with Rogers in the back of the net, all he had to do was coolly slot it over the line to silence the Oriel crowd.
Dundalk went on the attack and gave Rovers very little time on the ball, but the hosts were struggling to make use of their possession, and despite being utterly dominant and creating a host of chances, they were unable to beat the steely Sligo defence early on.
Ciaran Nugent was called into action after 10 minutes, when Ronan Finn worked his way past Michael Leahy in defence, but his shot was forced away thanks to fine save from the American.
Three attempts from Dane Massey went amiss, before Brian Gartland, Finn, Darren Meenan, Chris Shields and Stephen O’Donnell all missed the target.
The momentum was with the Lilywhites, though, and it appeared that Rovers were in for a long evening as they tried to withstand severe pressure, but credit to the visitors they were more than capable of keeping the league leaders at bay.
Dundalk’s good work was then undone on 37 minutes when Rovers went 2- 0 up. Darren Meenan conceded possession, with Cretaro alert to take advantage, playing in substitute Phil Roberts.
Roberts took a touch and a turn from the left hand side of the box, sending a wonderful effort past former Rovers man Rogers in goal to make it 2- 0 just before half- time.
There was a collective groan of dismay around the ground just before half- time as Finn sent his effort well over the bar before Ben Connolly blew up for half- time.
Stephen Kenny brought Patrick McEleney on before the second half started in place of Chris Shields, who appeared to be struggling in the middle of the field.
And the Bit o’Red almost made it 3- 0 on 47 minutes, when Roberts’ powerful shot was forced away by Rogers, who spilled the ball before quickly gathering to avert the danger.
Darren Meenan’s corner was just sent wide of the mark by O’Donnell, before an excellent stop by Nugent prevented former Rovers man David McMillan from halving the deficit.
Rovers were reduced to ten on 53 minutes when Ben Connolly issued a straight red when Liam Martin tripped O’Donnell, although the decision seemed harsh as O’Donnell was around the half- way line.
But undeterred by their reduction in numbers, Dave Robertson’s men continued to search for a third and they were rewarded for their efforts on 61 minutes when the impressive John Russell surged down the right hand side before feeding Cretaro, whose powerful shot was smashed past Rogers in goal to silence the shocked Oriel crowd.
Again, Nugent was the hero late on as he saved well from McMillan and Horgan, before Dean Shiels missed the best chance he would have all night.
Having rounded Nugent, he managed to send his effort well wide despite an open goal to