Supporters can take pride from annual draw success
THEY get more important as the season rolls on, but Sligo Rovers’ next two games against Bray Wanderers and Bohemians are as crucial as they come in deciding where the Bit O’Red go next. There is also a tinge of fortune that both games are away from the Showgrounds, where Rovers have now lost eight of their thirteen league outings there this season. The unexplainable phenomena of Rovers’ patchy form on their own patch continued at the weekend with defeat to Waterford.
The mid-season break seemed to come at the wrong time, breaking what was a decent run of results which saw Rovers take eight points from their five games leading into the two week recess.
The holiday didn’t seem to do the players any good as we lapsed back into old mistakes at the back, while bar a three minute spell midway through the first period, we didn’t provide much of a threat. The introduction of debutant Darren Collins and fellow under 19 Liam Kerrigan the only spark thereafter.
Rhys McCabe proved in his absence how important he is in the centre of midfield. David Cawley, our most consistent performer this term, unable to match the leadership required in the engine room. Both him and Jack Keaney continuously over-powered by what is in terms of technique and creativity, the most dynamic central midfield in the league.
As has happened on far too many occasions this year, particularly on Church Hill, Rovers went through a prolonged spell of slumber. Again, the opposition took full advantage of the situation, knocking two very avoidable goals past Mitchell Beeney.
The Rovers net minder might have done better in organising his wall along with his positioning. Aborah’s set-piece was sweetly struck, but Beeney would have helped himself had he taken more time to consider his placement.
Waterford struck again and once more it was far too easy with Rovers’ back five still in holiday mode. Beeney again not commanding his area while the communication just wasn’t there as John Martin had all the time and space he wanted to swoop for the second after the powerful Ismahil Akinade was allowed knock down Dave Webster’s hopeful swing to the back post.
There was very much that familiar feeling of concession around the Showgrounds. Wins for both Bohs and Limerick the night previous made things a little more claustrophobic. But credit to the players who showed, for a short time at least, that relentless spirit we saw in wins over Derry and Pat’s to come back and level the game.
We missed the passing range and skills of McCabe, but David Cawley showcased his eye for a pass with a wonderfully timed through ball for Adam Wixted who found the net for his first goal in 19 appearances.
Seamus Sharkey too grabbed his first goal just three minutes later but again we shot ourselves in the foot with more lethargic defending in front of our own goal. Lewis Morrison isn’t paid to keep the ball out of the net, but his lack of awareness, coming from his inexperience, played the key role as he allowed Bastien Hery take control before arrowing the ball past Beeney.
On the field at least, it seems in a strange way almost advantageous that the club faces into the next two months with just one scheduled home game. But Bray, like it or not, will see Sunday’s game as a chance for them to claw back a few points conceded last week against Limerick who are now just two points off Sligo, albeit with a game extra played.
The return of McCabe will help along with we hope, the added freedom Rovers seem to play with away from home. While although we mustn’t expect too much out of Drennan, he should provide that spark in attack which none of Ger Lyttle’s senior signings could provide in abundance on Saturday.
Off the field, the way the front loaded fixture list has worked out for Rovers doesn’t help the club in terms of finance, with just five league games scheduled for the Showgrounds until the end of the year.
Of course, cup runs can help this but a huge beneficiary is the annual success of the summer draw. No other club in the country can compete with Sligo Rovers’ continuous ability to garner good will from its supporters, even in less successful eras. I would never be against partial outside funding in the League of Ireland but Galway United have taken a potentially catastrophic risk. For now, our supporters can take a lot of pride in the fact that we only have to go to our neighbours and not thousands of miles away for financial support.