Rovers grind out a victory in Longford
SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Longford Town
Sligo Rovers
IT WAS a ferocious slog but resilient Sligo Rovers got there in the end, winning 1-0 away to Longford Town last Friday evening – a result that put Liam Buckley’s men top of the table until the following evening’s results. Centre-back Garry Buckley’s 47th minute close-range header – his first goal for the Bit O’Red – gave Rovers the precious breakthrough in an encounter that was never a classic.
Despite increasing Longford pressure at Bishopsgate, Rovers held on for their first clean sheet of this season’s SSE Airtricity Premier Division, their second victory in three games and a second successive away win.
Against opponents who had stunned both Derry City and Bohemians, beating the former and coming back to draw with the latter, Rovers made just one change to their starting XI as David Cawley made his first start of 2021, replacing Walter Figueira and taking the captain’s armband from Greg Bolger.
Rovers, quite busy early on, threatened with a cross-cum-shot from Johnny Kenny but there was no teammate in white to profit. Longford then hinted that they could be viable but Dean Byrne volleyed over after 11 minutes.
The visitors were producing clearer chances and with more regularity, however. Romeo Parkes pulled a shot wide after Jordan Gibson knitted a counter-attack and Garry Buckley almost toe-poked a ball goalwards from a Gibson cross that deflected into his path. Greg Bolger was next to have a pop – at least his effort was on target but it didn’t trouble Longford goalkeeper Lee Steacy.
Johnny Kenny, still finding his feet at this level but not looking out of place, would have scored in the
0
40th minute but for a wonder save
1 from Steacy.
The Riverstown teenager, having been fed by Romeo Parkes in a congested penalty area, conjured a curling shot that was heading goalwards – until Steacy flung himself to his left and tipped the ball out for a corner.
Longford, who were forced to replace two players in the first-half due to injuries, went close to opening the scoring via two corners in stoppage-time.
It was from a corner that Rovers went in front two minutes after the restart. Robbie McCourt’s delivery was flicked on by Romeo Parkes and Garry Buckley applied the decisive touch – with his forehead – for the game’s only goal.
Two minutes later Johnny Kenny’s improvised header – from a dinked ball by David Cawley – was on target.
Longford were gradually improving in general play but their finishing remained blunt – Aodh Dervin was just wide with a low shot and another corner caused problems for Rovers’ defenders.
Dylan Grimes then showed neat footwork, evading two challenges, but he shot poorly.
Rovers were hanging on and were failing in their efforts to double their lead – Ryan De Vries, one of three second-half replacements for the Bit O’Red, was possibly selfish with a 79th minute effort when the wiser option was to pass to fellow substitute Mark Byrne, who looked to be better placed.
Longford continued to knock at the door – Paddy Kirk’s dangerous cross had to be caught by Ed McGinty and then Aodh Dervin’s attempt was deflected for a corner after Dylan Grimes created the opening.
Best for Rovers: John Mahon
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Colm Horgan, Garry Buckley, John Mahon, Robbie McCourt; Niall Morahan, Greg Bolger; Jordan Gibson (Walter Figuiera 82), David Cawley (c) (Mark Byrne 64),
Romeo Parkes; Johnny Kenny (Ryan De Vries 74)
Subs not used: Richard Brush (gk), Danny Kane, Shane Blaney, Regan Donelon, Darren Collins, Scott Lynch
Longford Town: Lee Steacy, Karl Chambers (Aaron McNally 70), Aaron O’Driscoll, Joe Gorman, Paddy Kirk; Dean Byrne (Callum Thompson 29), Dean Zambra (c) (Conor Davis 69), Aodh Dervin, Dylan Grimes; Callum Warfield (Aaron
Dobbs 36), Aaron Bolger
Subs not used: Michael Kelly (gk), Shane Elworthy, Aaron Robinson, Sam Verdon, Joe Manley
Referee: Damien MacGraith