Derry City 0 - 2 Sligo Rovers
Sligo earned their first win of the season on Friday night, as they overcame a poor Derry City side 2-0 in the Ryan McBride Brandywell stadium. The opening fixture of the league restart provided Liam Buckley’s men with a much needed 3 points as they aim to soon escape the relegation zone following a poor start last Spring.
Kyle Callan-McFadden broke the deadlock on 19 minutes, heading past Peter Cherrie from a corner to put Sligo a goal up. Sligo who were winless in their last four found their second through the penalty spot after Eoin Toal brought down Ronan Coughlan. The striker made no mistake from the spot, cooly tucking the ball in the bottom corner with a Bruno Fernandes-esque stuttered run up. Derry went close late on through Bruna, but Sligo defended resolutely and saw out the 2-0 win.
Derry travel to Richmond Park to face St.Pats tonight, while Sligo’s clash with Waterford was postponed this morning due to Covid-19 concerns.
Dundalk 1 - 1 St.Patrick's Athletic
The points were shared in Oriel Park last Friday night as Robbie Benson returned to his old haunt.
Pat Hoban opened the scoring on 23 minutes with Republic of Ireland manager Steohen Kenny watching from the stands. Luke McNally’s lapse of concentration at center back allowed Stefan Colovic to square the ball across to Hoban to tap in for his 100th Dundalk goal. The Lilywhites lead only lasted a minute however, as a superb cross from Shane Griffin found Robbie Benson who fired home from 6 yards out.
Dundalk missed a number of chances in the second half to take the lead but St.Pats stood firm to leave Oriel Park with a point. It will feel more like 2 points dropped for Vinny Perth’s men, as they missed the chance to close the gap on leaders Shamrock Rovers, who beat Finn Harps the following day.
Dundalk travel south to Dalymount Park next Friday while St.Pats host Derry City tonight.
Shelbourne 0 - 1 Waterford
Waterford moved up to fourth place after claiming all 3 points at Tolka Park. John Martin’s 15th minute strike proved to be the difference as John Sheidan’s first outing as Waterford boss ended with a victory.
As Shelbourne attempted to play out from the back, Waterford’s midfield pressed up and put pressure on The Red’s back line. Waterford’s wide players pushed forward as they sought an opener, which came from Martin who tapped in, assisted by a Sobowale header across the face of goal. Waterford grew in confidence as the game progressed with positive and intelligent play from Wilson and Sobowale, the latter making his league debut for the blues.
Shelbourne came into the game brighter in the 2nd half, helped by 5 second half substitutions and went close through McManus and Shepperd. Waterford saw out the game in the closing stages and moved up to fourth in the table while Shelbourne remain sixth.
Waterford’s fixture with Sligo tomorrow night has been postponed due to Covid-19 concerns, while Shelbourne travel to Finn Harps for a 5:45pm kick-off.
Shamrock Rovers 3 - 1 Finn Harps
The league leaders were in top form on Saturday night as a sublime Jack Byrne free kick sent Rovers on their way to victory.
After St.Pats held Dundalk to a draw the day before, Rovers knew a win vs Harps would send thm 5 points clear in the SSE Airtricity League. Whatever words Stephen Bradley said to his men before kick-off worked a treat, as Irish international Jack Byrne sent a inch perfect 25 yard free kick into the top corner. 7 minutes gone and Rovers a goal up.
Dylan Watts doubled the Rovers lead 10 minutes later with a strong finish after terrific work from Jack Byrne. It was Byrne involved in the action again as Rovers scored their third just after the half-hour mark. Byrne found McEneff with a sweet pass, who fired past Mark McGinely from 25 yards. At this stage it looked like Rovers could produce a cricket scoreline.
To their credit Harps did pull a goal back through a Karl O’Sullivan volley on 40 minutes. However Rovers never looked like conceding another as they sought a fourth in the second half. Rovers win their 6th game on the bounce and extend their lead at the top to 5 points. They travel to Derry next Sunday, while Finn Harps host Shelbourne tomorrow night.
Cork City 0 - 1 Bohemians
Bohs departed Turner’s Cross last night with all 3 points as Andre Wright’s 4th minute strike proved to be the difference. Cork entered the game with 1 win from their last 5 and in all honesty looked 2nd best for the majority of the contest. Bohs move up to third and are 1 point off 2nd placed Dundalk.
Bohs got off to a dream start going a goal up inside the opening 5 minutes. McNulty could only parry Grant’s clever effort into Wright’s path, who scored from close range with the aid of the post. Bohs grew comfortable as the half progressed with clever touches and intricate link up play as the bright Twardek and Grant floated into pockets of space.
Cian Murphy had Cork’s best chance of the second half, but failed to score as Neale Fenn’s men struggled to get hold of the ball and produce any clear chances. Bohs held on for the win which sees them move up to third place, as themselves and Dundalk seek to catch up with an impressive Shamrock Rovers side this year.
Cork City travel to the Showgrounds next Saturday to face Waterford, although the game will likely be postponed if Waterford’s Covid-19 test returns a positive case. Bohemians host Dundalk on Friday evening as 2nd plays 3rd with both teams aiming to finish in a European spot come the end of the season.
(All pictures: Sportsfile.ie)