A disappointing Icelandic trip
UEFA Europa Conference League
First Qualifying Round – First League Hafnarfjordur (Iceland) 1 Sligo Rovers 0
A SECOND-HALF double whammy in Iceland has left Sligo Rovers almost frozen out of their debut in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League.
The Bit O’Red gallingly lost 1-0 away to FH Hafnarfjordur, a middling although not outreagously good Icelandic top tier side, with the potential salvation of the second leg of the first qualifying round to come this evening (Thursday) at The Showgrounds.
Midfield dynamo Greg Bolger’s
77th minute red card – his second booking was the punishment for what the referee deemed to be a ‘dive’ in the FH penalty area – put Rovers on the back foot.
Then the game’s only goal, Steven Lennon’s deft header after 85 minutes, proved the ultimate sickener because Rovers should have taken something from this tie at Kaplakrikavollur.
Manager Liam Buckley was without four players – all potential
Unlike those SSE Airtricity League Premier Division games where Rovers gave away late equalisers to Derry City, St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers, the Icelandic pain occurred when Rovers were down a player.
Midfield fulcrum Bolger’s first card was for a necessary shirt tug that halted a potentially dangerous FH counter-attack in the 59th minute – 18 minutes later what looked like an unnecessary tumble in the FH penalty area was met with yellow starters – for this game. Ed McGinty and Robbie McCourt were both injured, with John Mahon and Johnny Kenny not in the matchday squad. There was only one change to the starting XI from the club’s previous outing, an away defeat of Longford Town, as goalkeeper Luke McNicholas started (he had come on for the injured Ed McGinty in Longford).
Rovers, who enjoyed bountiful possession throughout, got into a good passing rhythm early on. Despite moving the ball crisply and attempting to set the tempo, it wasn’t until the 35th minute that they got a shot on target – Greg Bolger’s firm drive from distance.
FH revealed their threat, previously card disapproval by Maltese referee Ishmael Barbara.
Ironically, Bolger looked to have had the means to stay on his feet and get a shot at goal.
Prior to Bolger’s red card, Rovers boss Buckley had already reshaped his attack with the introduction of winger Walter Figueira, who could be in the frame to start this evening, Thursday, in the second leg, and attacking midfielder David Cawley.
Figueira created Rovers’ best chance. His cross reached Jordan Gibson, who was at least going to drive the ball goalwards, but the ball went wide via an extremely unlucky deflection off teammate Romeo Parkes. Rovers never forced the goalkeeper, Gunnar Nielsen, into a meaningful save. Along with the Gibson opportunity there were on target efforts from Bolger and centre-back Shane Blaney, disguised by them sitting back, when a rare attack culminated in the ball coming off the upright from Steven Lennon’s header. The same player then shot wildly and wide.
The dangerous Lennon was again involved just before half-time – this time he headed the ball down for Jonatan Ingi Jonsson to volley over. In time added on Rovers almost picked the lock – Romeo Parkes dinked a ball over the top for leading scorer Jordan Gibson, whose connection was underhit. Rovers maintained the grip on proceedings after the restart. Although defensively resilient, there was little from FH in an attacking sense except for a superb break upfield from Jonatan Ingi Jonsson. Greg Bolger ended Jonsson’s run with a jersey pull – an act that earned the midfielder a yellow card. With 20 minutes of normal time left, Rovers almost took the lead.
Substitute Walter Figueira who was reliable again.
FH have been very successful in Iceland’s top flight – the Urvalsdeild – but hardly looked like world-beaters here. They never looked on the ropes, however. The hosts could comfortably absorb the pressure knowing that (a) Rovers were lacking decisiveness in the final third, that killer ball and (b) a player who might ghost onto a chance, Johnny Kenny, was absent.
The longer it remained 0-0, it became increasingly likely that there would be a twist in the tale and perhaps not in Rovers’ favour.
FH had already served notice of their prowess in the first-half, chiefly through that 30th minute Steven Lennon header that came off the upright (his second-half goal was a carbon copy of this woodwork-denied moment). FH were physically strong and experienced, too. sent in a tempting cross from the left and Jordan Gibson shot goalwards – with the ball blocked inadvertently by Romeo Parkes, who was trying not to be in the way.
Two minutes later Shane Blaney got his head to a free-kick delivery from Greg Bolger, but the header was undercooked and straight at FH goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen.
Greg
DISMISSED: Rovers midfielder Greg Bolger, was sent off in the second-half of last Thursday’s game in Iceland.
Bolger’s enforced exit left Rovers having to hold on. The finish line was in sight, with the likes of fullback Lewis Banks doing well and goalkeeper Luke McNicholas, but then came the disaster. FH substitute Vok Oskar Dimitrijevic wriggled free to whip in a good cross and Steven Lennon’s header had sufficient guile to break Rovers.
Best for Rovers: Lewis Banks
FH Hafnarfjordur (Iceland): Gunnar Nielsen; Gudmundur Kristjansson, Petur Vidarsson, Gudmann Thorisson, Hordur Ingi Gunnarsson, Bjorn Daniel Sverrisson, Eggert Gunnpor Jonsson, Jonatan Ingi Jonsson (Baldur Logi Gudlaugsson 93), Thorir Johann Helgason (Vok
Oskar Dimitrijevic 82), Steven Lennon (Oliver Hreidarrson 93), Matthias Vilhjalmsson (c) Sligo Rovers: Luke McNicholas; Lewis Banks, Garry Buckley, Shane Blaney, Colm Horgan; Greg Bolger (c), Niall Morahan; Mark Byrne (David Cawley 64), Jordan Gibson, Ryan De Vries (Walter Figueira 64; Romeo Parkes Subs not used: Richard Brush (gk), Conor Walsh (gk), Danny Kane, Seamas Keogh, John Russell, Regan Donelon, Darren Collins, Cillian Heaney, Jason Devaney, Peter Maguire
Referee: Ishmael Barbara (Malta)