Rovers 1 Sligo Rvs 0

Tight victory for the Hoops against Sligo.

Rovers played their second league game this week when Sligo were the visitors to Tolka. Rovers were looking to continue the recent run of good results but found Sligo to be tough opposition. Sligo forced the early pace and Rovers keeper Barry Murphy was called into action twice in the opening fifteen minutes, while Rovers' first chance came when Darren Stapleton forced a corner in the sixteenth minute, but Aidan Price's header from the corner was held comfortably by the Sligo keeper. Sligo created several chances for their centre forward Boco who got away from the Rovers defence on two occasions but failed to trouble Barry Murphy with his final effort. Sligo had the initiative now, and on thirty six minutes Rovers midfielder Stephen Rice conceded a corner under pressure when he got back to cut out a cross into the Rovers penalty area. Sligo's short corner resulted in a pass into the middle to the centre forward, but his shot went over the bar. Barry Murphy was called on again to save a 20-metre shot just before halftime.

The second half started with Sligo dictating the pace - Murphy was again called on to make an excellent save on the six-yard line, the rebound was followed up by a Sligo player but Pat Flynn was on hand to make a goal line clearance. With the introduction of Mark Leech on fifty minutes Rovers started to have more success in their forward play, as he combined well with Amond. When Sean O'Connor was introduced a few minutes later, Rovers looked more set up to trouble the Sligo defence, and Amond had a shot cleared after good work by O'Connor. Rovers then found themselves defending a Sligo free kick, and Rice's clearance was followed up by Danny O'Connor who beat the Sligo keeper to the touch to pass the ball across the Sligo goal where Padraig Amond was in the right place again to score for the Hoops. Rovers continued to press with Leech showing well for the ball and combining to good effect with Doyle and Amond, while on the other wing Sean O'Connor and Stephen Rice were also pushing forward. Rovers finished the game well and can be very satisfied with taking three points against difficult opposition.