Coleman era off to winning start
First victory in three League games
JOHN COLEMAN began his reign as new Sligo Rovers' manager with a winning start against Drogheda United at Hunky Dory's Park last Friday.
First- half goals from Danny North and Kieran Djilali gave the Bit O ' Red their first victory in three SSE Airtricity Premier Division outings against ten- man United in a repeat of last year's FAI Cup Final.
A Gavin Brennan penalty provided the Boynesiders with some hope before half- time, but with no further goals after the break, Rovers came away with a much- needed result.
Drogheda had Paul Andrews sent off by referee Derek Tomney minutes after Djilali's strike.
He had been shown a yellow card when he collided with North in the 45th minute and then appeared to kick out at the striker and was promptly dismissed.
The win just the tonic Coleman would have required following his appointment as successor to Ian Baraclough and ahead of Thursday's Europa League encounter with FK Banga of Lithuania.
Coleman named the returning Djilali in his starting line up and both he and Raffaele Cretaro caused some early problems for Drogheda when they broke wide.
The point was underlined in the opening minutes when Cretaro made space to cross for North, whose header came back off the crossbar with no Rovers player on hand to benefit. Three minutes later, Rovers hit the front. Cretaro was again involved in the build- up, again crossing for North, who this time beat former Rovers ' keeper Michael Schlingermann for a good finish.
Colman had promised attacking football and a high pressing game when he addressed fans last week. And, so it was in the opening phase. Rovers were certainly full of attacking intent and the doubled their lead on 21 minutes.
This time they worked the ball up from the back with Djilali finding North with a good cross- field pass.
North returned the ball to Djilali and he found the back of the net from close range.
At that stage, all the signs pointed to a comfortable win for the visitors.
Drogheda had lost their previous 10 games and their newly appointed boss Darius Kearins needed a lifeline from somewhere.
It came when referee Tomney pointed to the spot, adjudging that Declan O'Brien's shirt had been pulled back by Kalen Spillane in the penalty area on 39 minutes.
Gavin Brennan, returning from suspension, stepped up to reduce the deficit and it was ' game on' again.
Rovers should have made it 3- 1 when David Cawley set up North, but his shot was straight at the United ' keeper.
Coleman's charges continued to look the more threatening side after the interval.
They pressed when they could and went in search of a third which would have put the contest out of the reach of struggling Drogheda.
John Russell broke from midfield to carve open the United defence, but from his pass Djilali's effort was tame and Schlingermann's gathered safely,
Given their slender advantage, Rovers were always weary Drogheda might snatch an equaliser, but it was not to be, despite some second- half corners. They defended well and deservedly took full points. ' Win the next game' was Coleman's mantra when he took over at the Showgrounds and he and Assistant Manager, Jimmy Bell, will be pleased to have done so.
There was plenty of encouragement for the former Accrington Stanley pair to confirm the view that Rovers are capable of turning the corner after a disappointing pre- season break campaign.
For now, it's on to Lithuania and the task of securing another result against their Europa League opponents, prior to next Sunday's re- arranged Premier League joust with a Cork City side managed by former Summerhill College player, Johnny Caulfield.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Schlingermann, Daly, Andrews, Crowley, Grimes, Brady, Holohan, Maher, Doyle, Brennan, O'Brien, Subs: Walshe for Brady ( 69 mins), O'Connor for O'Brien ( 80 mins). Sent Off: Andrews 45 mins
SLIGO ROVERS: Rogers, Gaynor, Spillane, Conneely, Ledwith, Cretaro, Russell, O'Connor, Cawley, Djilali, North,. Subs: Greene for North ( 90 mins). Booked: Spillane 38 mins, Gaynor 42 mins, North 45 mins.