First Division football a real threat now after failure to beat Drogheda
THE threat of First Division football in 2018 became an even more worrying prospect for Sligo Rovers over the weekend.
A point at home against the league’s bottom side was scant reward for what was probably one of our better performances this season.
Taking Drogheda, Galway, Harps and Pat’s as our relegation rivals, the Bit O’Red have only managed to pick up eight points from the eight games against those sides this year.
Rovers are along with Galway, the only teams not to win an away game this season.
That fact does not inspire confidence in our mission to stay up when you consider we’re on the road for three of the remaining four games we have against those teams.
Saturday was a huge opportunity and with both Harps and Pat’s winning the night previous, the pressure was on Rovers to do likewise 24 hours later.
Despite enjoying the better of the play throughout the first half, we just couldn’t find the net.
New boy Benny Igiehon was impressive on his debut and led the line in a way we haven’t seen from a Rovers striker this year.
His link-up play was superb at times and he didn’t shy from a challenge. In fact he only went quiet once Jonah Ayunga was brought on to partner him.
Unfortunately, and for all the attributes he may possess, the one that really matters is the ability to put the ball in the net.
Bar registering a goal of his own, I don’t think we could have asked for much more from him.
Although he should have converted Daniel Kearns corner early on instead of heading wide with just Stephen McGuinness for company.
Rhys McCabe showed glimpses of real quality in his home debut for the club.
There was the odd under-hit pass but to take his goal so well will only encourage.
A definite improvement on the other options we have alongside John Russell and Gary Boylan.
The saying that things don’t go your way when you’re struggling rang true in the second half when the linesman on the Treacy Avenue side ruled the ball to have crossed the end line just before Kearns fired home.
The Rovers players involved seemed adamant the ball hadn’t gone out of play but that’s tough luck in a tough year yet again.
Pat’s will continue to improve as the last round of the season wears on, while it looks like Harps’ home form could see them safe again.
Galway and Drogheda will both continue to struggle so to beat them in our next meetings is imperative.
After that, you’re relying on solid home form and possibly a surprise result on the road to stay clear of tenth.
Rovers only managed to accumulate ten points in the first round of league games before going one point better in the second round.
A considerable mark-up is required in the coming third and final round.
Away from domestic issues and the league’s remaining three European representatives each go into their second leg ties on the back foot this week.
Dundalk visit the scene of arguably Rovers’ greatest ever feat as they visit the Lerkendal Stadion tomorrow evening (Wednesday) looking to bounce back from conceding an away goal against Rosenborg last week.
Stephen Kenny’s men started the first leg in an explosive manner and were full value for their 18th minute lead.
The Norwegian giants were somewhat stunned by Dundalk’s pace going forward.
The Louth men created plenty in front of Andre Hansen’s box and only for the reactionary flick of the goalkeeper’s leg, would have been two up at half-time.
Unfortunately, and as has happened so many Irish sides in Europe throughout the years, a defensive lapse allowed the Eliteserien champions back into the tie.
I would still hold out some hope for Dundalk though.
At their best, they are a match for plenty of Europe’s second rate sides even without Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle.
Rosenborg will be favourites to progress but the Lilywhites do have the talent to again push what looks like a somewhat presumptuous team.
If Rovers did it three summers ago with Kalen Spillane and Danny Ledwith in our back four, Dundalk can too.
Elsewhere, Cork have it all to do against AEK Larnaca on Thursday having both conceded and failed to score in the first leg at Turner’s Cross.
Larnaca look by no means unbeatable but did have that professional swagger to them that suggests they can reach a gear higher than Cork, at a quicker pace.
But Kieran Sadlier and his new team must score first in Cyprus.
While Shamrock Rovers kept their hopes of progression alive with a late, late Graham Burke strike. Again, the Irish side are likely to have to score first in the away leg to give any hope of overturning Boleslav’s 3-2 advantage.