Rovers new signings
BOHEMIAN FC 2 SLIGO ROVERS 0
TWO former Sligo Rovers players came back to haunt their ex- employers on Friday night, as Keith Long’s Bohemian FC secured a 2- 0 victory over the struggling Bit O’Red.
Keith Ward gave the Gypsies the lead after just nine minutes when his free- kick slipped through the palms of Michéal Schlingermann, before Dinny Corcoran doubled their lead nine minutes from the end.
Gerard Lyttle made two changes to the side that drew 1- 1 with Galway United the previous week - Daniel Kearns and Gary Boylan coming in for Craig Roddan and Liam Martin.
Rovers came into this game still looking for their first away win under manager Gerard Lyttle, but they had not beaten Bohs in Dalymount since April 2014 - a rather unsavoury statistic.
John Russell offered up the game’s first opportunity, but it was the hosts who were on the scoresheet with just nine minutes on the clock. Keith Ward, who spent the 2015 season in the North- West, sent a harmless looking free- kick towards goal right at Schlingermann.
The Kiltimagh man, however, was left red- faced when it slipped right through his palms and into the back of the net.
Rovers at this stage were struggling to really threaten the Bohs defence in the first- half, and although they strung together a number of attacking moves, Shane Supple had a relatively quiet first half in the Bohs goals.
A crucial block from Kyle Callan McFadden prevented Paddy Kavanagh from doubling the Gypsies’ lead, before Rovers had a few opportunities of their own.
A Boylan volley was deflected wide of the mark, before the vistiors had their best chance of the first- half.
John Russell’s ball fell into the path of Raffaele Cretaro, but the Tubbercurry man was kicking himself when he couldn’t convert from mere yards away.
In a very fast- paced second- half, Shane Supple was certainly the busier of the two goalkeepers.
Schlingermann was called into action to force another Ward effort wide, before Rovers took hold of proceedings.
Cretaro, Kieran Sadlier and Jonah Ayunga all threatened the Bohs goal, but Supple was never in danger of being caught off guard, The introduction of Liam Martin for Daniel Kearns brought a different dimension to Rovers who were well on top, and Bohs were holding on for dear life at one stage.
Cretaro and Martin were causing all sorts of problems for Bohs who somehow just managed to cling on their one goal lead.
Rovers felt aggrieved when they were not awarded a penalty, as Ayunga appeared to be taken down in the box, but referee Ray Matthews was not interested.
And Rovers were then undone a second time by another defensive error on the counter, Dinny Corcoran made light work of the Rovers defence and just slotted past Schlingermann to score his tenth of the season, inflicting a tough defeat on the Bit O’Red.
Rovers are now without a win in seven games, and sitting just above the relegation zone on goal difference. Next week sees Shamrock Rovers coming to The Showgrounds on Sunday, with an early kick- off of 6pm.
BOHEMIANS: Shane Supple, Derek Pender ( c), Warren O’Hora, Dan Byrne, Dinny Corcoran ( Ismahil Akinade, 91), Keith Ward ( Philip Gannon, 84), Paddy Kavanagh ( Lorcan Fitzgerald, 87), Oscar Brennan, Fuad Sule, Ian Morris, George Poynton.
SLIGO ROVERS: Micheál Schlingermann, Tobi Adebayo Dowling, Regan Donelon, Michael Leahy, Kyle Callan McFadden, Daniel Kearns ( Liam Martin, 27), Raffaele Cretaro, Kieran Sadlier, Gary Boylan, John Russell ( c), John Ayunga ( Mikey Place, 86).
Referee: Ray Matthews