Rovers are safe Page 52
SLIGO ROVERS BRAY WANDERERS 2 1
SLIGO Rovers secured their place in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division for next season with three games to go after they overcame bottom side Bray Wanderers with a 2-1 victory at The Showgrounds on Saturday evening.
That result also relegated the Seagulls, whose fate was sealed a long time ago with a disastrous season.
It was a big evening for the Bit O’Red, who were celebrating their 90th anniversary on the night, with President Michael D Higgins among the crowd.
In a chaotic five minutes, Rovers took the lead through Caolan McAleer, with the visitors equalising just minutes later.
And the hosts took the lead once again a few seconds later through striker Mikey Drennan.
Ger Lyttle’s side came into this game knowing that three points would see them safe, although they had not won at home since April, when they also defeated the Seagulls.
The Bit O’Red were well on top from the get go, and should most certainly have gone ahead early on.
Lee Lynch’s cross was chested wide by Drennan with seconds on the clock, before Rhys McCabe nodded wide from Regan Donelon’s corner.
Rhys McCabe’s dangerous looking corner was met by the head of Kyle Callan McFadden, but he could not keep his effort on target.
Mark O’Connor in the Bray goals was certainly the busier of the two keepers on the night, and he did well to keep out Lee Lynch’s shot on 16 minutes.
Bray’s best chance of the half came from a Kevin Lynch corner, but the onrushing Ger Pender could not get to it in time.
Rovers again started the second-half brighter and eventually went ahead on 56 minutes.
Tyrone’s Caolan McAleer nodded in from a Lee Lynch ball, before they were pegged back.
The Rovers rearguard fell asleep, and two minutes later Bray were back on level terms when Jake Ellis neatly tucked the ball past Ed McGinty when he was given far too much space.
But somehow, Rovers regained the lead just two minutes later again.
Lynch’s ball into the box looked like it should have been claimed by O’Connor, but the alert Drennan got there before him and headed into the net to give Rovers a precious lead.
That lead was retained, with much thanks going to ‘keeper Ed McGinty who pulled off a great save in the last few minutes.
And so, Rovers won only their third home game of the season, which was enough to secure their safety. They can still move up the table, as they remain just four points behind Derry City, and five behind Bohemian.
They travel to Scotland this weekend to take on Motherwell Colts in the last 16 of The Irn Bru Cup.
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty, Kyle Callan-McFadden, John Mahon, Patrick McClean, Regan Donelon, Lewis Morrison (Darren Collins, 60), Rhys McCabe, David Cawley, Lee J Lynch (Raffaele Cretaro, 88), Caolan McAleer (Liam Kerrigan, 80), Mikey Drennan.
Bray Wanderers: Mark O’Connor, Conor Kenna, Darragh Gibbons, Cian Walsh, Kevin Lynch, Dylan Hayes (Dragos Mamaliga, 8), Paul O’Conor, John Sullivan, Jake Ellis, Darragh Noone, Ger Pender (Byron O’Gorman, 85).
Referee: John McLoughlin