Russell is left disappointed by stalemate
RESULTS
Played on Saturday, March 9
THE SHOWGROUNDS: Sligo
Rovers (0) 0, Shamrock Rovers (0) 0
FIXTURES
Saturday, March 16
Friday, March 29
FIXTURES
Monday, April 1
Saturday, April 6
Saturday, April 6
Shamrock Rovers v Sligo Rovers (Tallaght Stadium, 8pm)
THIS WAS the second home stalemate of the 2024 season, with zero goals scored, but yet another display to confirm that Sligo Rovers are in a better place this season.
Rovers senior men’s team manager John Russell reckoned that his side merited all three points from their hosting of the champions, Shamrock Rovers, last Saturday night.
“I thought in the first-half we looked like the team that was going to score – we had chances. We were up against the top team in the country but, on the balance of play, we deserved the win.
“I’m really proud of the players and how they performed – I think we’ve got really good players and we showed that again.”
He continued: “I think the game plan worked – we pressed high up the pitch, forced turnovers and we were on the front foot. We caused them problems in the wide areas.”
“We had massive backing from the crowd and I’m disappointed just to have come away with a draw.”
The manager was adamant that Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Leon Pohls should have been dismissed for his 74th minute challenge on Simon Power.
Russell praised the defenders for their graft, especially when facing the talents of Aaron Greene, Rory Gaffney and Graham Burke.
“We just needed a goal and the pitch [surface] is just killing us at the moment. That’s three home games and no goals but you can see in the final third that the ball is popping up and lads have to take that extra touch.