SSE Airtricity League Premier Division
Sligo Rovers 2-1 Derry City
Derry City’s title challenge suffered a major set-back, as Sligo Rovers continued their fantastic form in the North West derby.
Despite leading thanks to Paul McMullan’s stunning opening goal, a superb brace from Ellis Chapman sealed the points for Rovers.
Derry went into the encounter having won four games on the bounce, but this defeat means they have failed to win at the Showgrounds in their last six visits.
After dominating things and having chances in the first half, the Foylesiders never got going in the second half and in the end Chapman’s 89th minute solo run and finish sleaded the points.
The only pleasing things Derry could take from the game was that leaders Shelbourne, didn’t take full advantage as they were held to a 1-1 draw at bottom side Drogheda United.
City boss Ruaidhrí Higgins started the same team, which easily saw off bottom side Drogheda United last Friday night.
As for the Bit O’Red they made one change to their side with ex-Cliftonville winger Stephen Mallon getting his first start replacing Fabrice Hartmann, who returned to Red Bull Leipzig, after a successful loan spell.
A clever pass by Cameron Dummigan on three minutes released Daniel Kelly, the right winger’s cross flashed just in front of an in-rushing McMullan at the back post.
The visitors should have taken the lead on 12 minutes as Pat Hoban’s smart flick over Nando Pijnaker released the Dubliner down the right, but from an astute angle his drive was kept out by Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty. Patching had a good chance on 25 minutes as Ben Doherty’s left wing centre found the midfielder inside the box, but his tame side footed effort was easily gathered by McGinty.
Five minutes later a super pass by Adam O’Reilly released McMullan, who got in behind the Rovers defence, McGinty raced off his line to deny the winger, who got his effort away from around the penalty spot. Right on the stroke of half-time Hoban was inches away from giving City the lead as Dummigan’s teasing right wing cross found the ex-Dundalk man, but his overhead kick from just inside the box, which had McGinty beaten, flashed just wide.
The Candystripes deservedly took the lead on 54 minutes as Kelly skipped away from Reece Hutchinson down the right before crossing to the back post, Hoban dummied the ball and McMullan, coolly cut inside from the left before curling the ball into McGinty’s top left hand corner.
Rovers rightfully were awarded a penalty on 61 minutes after Sadou Diallo stupidly brought down Will Fitzgerald inside the box, referee Damien MacGraith pointed to the spot and Chapman made no mistake with the resulting spot-kick, slotting the ball low into Brian Maher’s bottom left hand corner.
With their tails up Rovers should have taken the lead 67 minutes as Fitzgerald got clear down the left before his drilled cross found Kailin Barlow, but the substitute’s close range header flew well over the bar.
McGinty had to make a stunning save on 72 minutes as McMullan nearly scored a similar goal to his opener, but his stinging drive was kept out by the diving Rovers net-minder. City made a double change on 74 minutes as Daniel Mullen and Michael Duffy replaced Kelly and Diallo, as they went in search of the three points.
On 83 minutes Hutchinson broke clear down the left and his cross found Barlow, but with the goal at his mercy the substitute blazed over from close range.
John Russell’s side claimed the points in stunning fashion as Chapman picked up the ball some 30 yards out, before skipping away from a few challenges and calmly slotting the ball home past Maher.
Sligo were reduced to ten men in stoppage time as JR Wilson was shown a straight red card by referee MacGraith for what looked like dissent.
The Candystripes’ next league action isn’t until 2nd August when they face Shelbourne in a huge clash at Tolka Park. Next up is a trip to Gibraltar next week for their Europa Conference League qualifier against FCB Magpies.
League leaders Shelbourne will have been delighted when they heard the result from The Showgrounds as they were held 1-1 by basement boys Drogheda. Damien Duff’s side took the lead through Tyreke Wilson 20 minutes in before he and Paddy Barrett were sent off late which allowed the Drogs to pinch a point thanks to Douglas James-Taylor’s 84th minute penalty. However, they extend their lead at the top to three points.
It was the same score line at Eamonn Deacy Park as Galway and Bohemians shared the spoils. Dayle Rooney opened the scoring after just four minutes but the visitors were pegged back just after half time by Rob Slevin.
There were also 1-0 wins for Waterford over St. Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers against Dundalk. Ben McCormack scored the winner for Waterford while Johnny Kenny was on the score sheet for Rovers.