Rovers disgraced by Longford in cup for second year running
SLIGO ROVERS LONGFORD TOWN
SLIGO Rovers’ hopes of a good run in the FAI Cup were dashed abruptly on Saturday evening as they were embarrassed once again by Longford Town in the first round at The Showgrounds.
Ger Lyttle made one change to the side that lost to Derry on Monday night, with Lewis Morrison dropping to the bench in place of Raffaele Cretaro.
It’s only a year since Rovers were disgraced by the same opposition at the City Calling Stadium in the first round of the cup.
One would have expected that to be fresh in the minds as the Bit O’Red met with their First Division opposition.
The Town started off brighter, however, and the tricky Dylan McGlade forced a save from Mitchell Beeney with just seconds on the clock.
Cretaro tried his luck on nine minutes but he was well off target. The Longford ‘keeper picked up an avoidable booking on 12 minutes when he handled the ball outside the box, but the resulting free-kick caused no problems for Neale Fenn’s side.
David Cawley’s ball across the face of goal should have been tapped in by the onrushing Patrick McClean, but a slight touch off a Longford defender changed the flight of the ball.
Kyle Callan-McFadden did well to brush off his marker as he got on the end of Rhys McCabe’s cross, but the Donegal man’s header smacked off the crossbar.
Longford were thankful for a slice of luck in the second-half when Mikey Drennan’s close range shot beat Mick Kelly in goal, before smacking the post and rolling back into the arms of Kelly.
Beeney was again forced to stop a McGlade effort, before the Midlanders eventually took a well deserving lead.
McGlade danced around substitute Jack Keaney on the end line before spotting Jamie Hollywood in a good position, his tame enough looking effort managed to slip under Beeney, who certainly should have done better.
David Cawley’s volley was blocked by Mick McDonnell, before Beeney again was forced to save from McGlade.
Drennan had a good opportunity to force extra-time, but the former Shamrock Rovers striker could not beat Kelly in the Longford goal.
And so ends Rovers’ hopes of getting a good run going in the FAI Cup for another year, much to the disgust of the fans.
Rovers will take on Limerick on Friday in Market’s Field in what is a must win game.
There is no doubt that the Bit O’Red and manager Ger Lyttle will be under severe pressure heading into that game, with title chasing Dundalk awaiting them on Monday in the rearranged game at The Showgrounds.
Sligo Rovers: Mitchell Beeney, Kyle Callan-McFadden, Patrick McClean, John Mahon (Jack Keaney 46), Kris Twardek, Regan Donelon (Lewis Morrison 70), David Cawley, Rhys McCabe, Lee Lynch, Raff Cretaro (Caolan McAleer 63), Mikey Drennan.
Longford Town: Mick Kelly, Karl Chambers, Mick McDonnell, Daniel O’Reilly, Tristan Noack-Hofmann, Aodh Dervin, Jamie Hollywood, Dean Zambra, Darren Meenan, Sam Verdon (Peter Hopkins 27), Dylan McGlade.
Referee: Neil Doyle.