Rovers close in on survival with victory over Derry City
SLIGO ROVERS DERRY CITY
SLIGO Rovers’ survival hopes were given a massive boost on Saturday night as they defeated Derry City 3-0 at The Showgrounds.
Rhys McCabe’s first half corner was assisted into the goal with an assist from Storm Brian, with Vinny Faherty making it 2-0 shortly afterwards.
The superb Craig Roddan finished off the evening perfectly for Rovers with his 90th minute goal sealing a 3-0 victory for the Bit O’Red - a very precious three points.
Ger Lyttle’s side are now three points ahead of Galway United who occupy the last relegation spot, with just one game left. Shane Keegan’s side boast a superior goal difference to the Bit O’Red, which could yet prove vital to the relegation battle.
The victory for Sligo Rovers means that Finn Harps have now been relegated, joining Drogheda United in the First Division next year.
The Bit O’Red were sitting in the relegation zone earlier in the day on goal difference as a result of Galway’s draw with Limerick on Friday night.
With Shamrock Rovers suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Bray Wanderers this weekend, third place was still very much in the frame for the Candystripes, who were just one point behind the Hoops in fourth.
The hosts knew that a victory would see them close in on safety, and they got their evening off to the perfect start, with the help of the strong breeze.
With just eight minutes on the clock, Rhys McCabe’s corner was helped past Ger Doherty by the breeze, although the Derry netminder probably should have done better for the goal.
The Candystripes were forced to play against the extremely strong breeze for the first 45 minutes, and were unable to really threaten Shaun Patton in goal in the early stages.
Former Dunfermline man McCabe tried his luck again from a corner, but Doherty was alert this time, clearing the danger with little trouble.
Ger Lyttle’s side were using the breeze to their advantage, although Storm Brian can’t be credited for their second goal. With 40 minutes on the clock, Doherty cleared Tobi Adebayo-Rowling’s effort, but Faherty’s touch was enough to beat the Derry stopper to double Sligo’s lead.
Kenny Shiels’ side almost pulled one back with a carbon copy of Rovers’ opener - Aaron McEneff’s corner was assisted towards goal by the wind, but Shaun Patton pushed it clear, his first real bit of action in the game. Despite playing against the breeze, Rovers worked extremely hard and gave Derry very few chances.
And they were rewarded for their hard work in the 90th minute when Roddan capitalised on a Doherty error, scoring into an empty net - his first goal for the club.
The result means that Rovers travel to United Park in Drogheda on Friday night knowing that at least a point will see them avoid relegation, but Ger Lyttle won’t be allowing players get carried away.
Sligo Rovers: Shaun Patton, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Seamus Sharkey, Michael Leahy, Regan Donelon, Jamie McDonagh (Gary Boylan, 70), Rhys McCabe, John Russell, Craig Roddan, Greg Moorhouse (Benny Igiehon, 90), Vinny Faherty (Jack Keaney, 81).
THE Sligo Rovers that turned up in atrocious weather conditions to beat Derry City on Saturday night was a world apart from the Sligo Rovers side that was annihilated 4-0 in Buncrana just mere months ago.
Rovers turned up to Buncrana on that Sunday afternoon, fresh from a huge win over Shamrock Rovers - we expected that Shams win to be the turning point in our season.
But what followed was a lethargic looking performance against a Derry side who didn’t even have to try too hard - we made them look like world beaters.
What we saw on Saturday night, however, was the complete opposite. Rovers fought to the bitter end, competed for every ball, looked hungry and their determination to win the game could not be matched by Derry City.
In those 11 games we have played since losing to Derry back in July, Rovers form has been on the up.
The summer transfer window allowed Lyttle to bring in the type of players he wanted, and to his credit, they have had the desired effect, at least so far anyway.
Six draws, four wins and one defeat in that spell just shows you the change in this Rovers squad.
People, including myself, have questioned players’ dedication to the cause at times but you cannot question it in recent months.
The players have given it everything, par
Subs: Ed McGinty, Daniel Kearns, Raffaele Cretaro, John Mahon.
Derry City: Ger Doherty, Conor McDermott, Darren Cole, Aaron Barry, Dean Jarvis, Ronan Curtis, Barry McNamee, Harry Monaghan (Nicky Low, 46), Aaron McEneff (Jozef Dolny, 85), Ben Doherty (Jamie McIntyre, 46), Rory Patterson,
Subs: Eric Grimes, Lukas Schubert, Nathan Boyle, Eoin Toal.
ticularly since the defeat to Galway United. Perhaps that was the reality check that they needed having got slightly carried away after defeating Finn Harps the previous week.
At times this season it has felt as though every time we take a step forward, something gets in our way and stops us getting any further.
Winning the two final home games of the season, with a draw away to Shams sandwiched in between is a sure sign that the players’ heads and hearts are in this.
The resurrection of Craig Roddan has been one of the most crucial factors in Rovers good run of form recently.
Lyttle has made no secret of the fact that the pair didn’t see eye to eye when he first came in, and when Roddan’s proposed loan move to Waterford United didn’t arise, perhaps Roddan knew he would have to really work hard to make his way into Lyttle’s plans.
A string of brilliant performances from the Liverpudlian, compounded by him scoring his first ever goal for the club on Friday night, mean that people’s opinions have changed on him massively, and maybe having him tied down to a contract for next year isn’t such a bad thing as many had initially feared.
Roddan’s had work and determination make him almost irreplaceable when he’s not there, and his suspension for Friday night’s game means that Rovers will be missing a big part of what has made them tick in their
current run of form.
Regan Donelon too will miss out through suspension, he is another great loss for what is a huge game for the Bit O’Red.
It’s hard to believe we’ve reached this stage of the season, and few would have expected Rovers to still be in the mix for relegation at this stage.
There’s just one game left. One game left to solidify the club’s Premier Division status. Rovers are in an extremely good position, and fans of Galway United will certainly be fearing the worst.
St. Patrick’s Athletic too can get relegated still if Rovers and Galway pick up points, and they fail to while also suffering a hit to their goal difference.
There was a pitch invasion in Inchicore on Friday night celebrating their victory over Cork City - they could yet end up with egg on their faces.
With three teams going down, it was realistically always going to go right down to the wire. Ger Lyttle insists they have to go to Drogheda on Friday playing for a win. He is also adamant that they will not be taking the challenge of Drogheda United too lightly.
Given the way Rovers’ season has gone - we can take nothing for granted.
The last week of the season has arrived and we need a similar performance from Rovers to prevent a disaster.