Superb goals set up fourth win of 2021
SSE Airtricity League Premier Division
Bohemians 1
Sligo Rovers 3
AFTER Tuesday night’s epic end to end encounter, Sligo Rovers won 3-1 against Bohemians to keep up their superb early season buoyancy at the right end of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
Rovers netted three times for the first time this season – Jordan Gibson, Mark Byrne and David Cawley on target – and the quality of the goals bagged by Liam Buckley’s men at Dalymount Park reflected the visitors’ improving attacking cohesion six games into the campaign.
Jordan Gibson’s sweet 30th minute strike – created by the excellent Romeo Parkes, who netted twice for Rovers at this famous Dublin venue in 2019 – put Rovers in the driving seat.
Bohs, who were without the influential Bastien Héry for this game, equalised after 47 minutes through Liam Burt’s long-range bullet and had Rovers rattled for a period.
Rovers went back in front with 13 minutes of normal time left when substitute Mark Byrne netted his first senior goal for the club. Johnny Kenny supplied the assist from a Greg Bolger lofted ball into the Bohs box. A brilliant save from Ed McGinty prevented a second Bohs equaliser when he stopped Anthony Breslin’s 83rd minute shot.
The hosts kept the ball alive, however, only for Keith Ward to somehow guide an effort wide.
There was a first appearance of the season for Lewis Banks, who came on in the closing stages as Rovers were forced to repel waves of Bohs’ pressure. Bohs, who had won their two previous games (both 1-0), were threatening to at least salvage a draw here. But Rovers, who were transformed by Byrne’s neat finish, added icing to this sweet victory cake when David
Cawley smashed home an unstoppable shot four minutes after Byrne’s composed strike. Greg Bolger, once again, made the goal with an astute pass. It was fitting that Rovers’ two best defenders on the night, John Mahon and Garry Buckley, each made stern blocks as the clock ticked down.
The visitors twice could have scored inside the opening 11 minutes with two chances for Johnny Kenny, whose role in attack (replacing Ryan De Vries) was the only change to the team that started the previous Saturday against Finn Harps.
Kenny was denied from close-range after a clever move involving Romeo Parkes, Greg Bolger and Jordan Gibson. Then he lashed a shot off the crossbar.
The Riverstown teenager’s first sight of goal came from a counter-attack after Bohs looked likely to open the scoring but striker Georgie Kelly, through on goal and all set to score, found the door firmly shut by Rovers custodian Ed McGinty.
Best for Rovers: Romeo Parkes Bohemians: James Talbot; Rory Feely, Robert Cornwall, Ciarán Kelly, Anthony Breslin; Ross Tierney (Keith Ward 80), Conor Levingston (Ali Coote 80); Jack Moylan, Dawson Devoy, Liam Burt; Georgie Kelly
Subs not used: Stephen McGuinness
(gk), Andy Lyons, Tyreke Wilson, James Finnerty, Robbie Mahon, Thomas Oluwa Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Colm Horgan (Lewis Banks 86), John Mahon, Garry Buckley, Robbie McCourt; Niall Morahan, Greg Bolger; Jordan Gibson, Romeo Parkes (David Cawley 73), Walter Figueira (Mark Byrne 59); Johnny Kenny
Subs not used: Richard Brush (gk), Ryan De Vries, Regan Donelon, Darren Collins, Scott Lynch, Peter Maguire
Referee: Neil Doyle