Sligo 3
Bray 2
Jessica Farry reports from The Showgrounds
A STUNNING KIERAN Sadlier free-kick gave Sligo Rovers their first victory of the season, as they defeated Bray Wanderers 3-2 at The Showgrounds.
Bray initially went ahead after just three minutes through Gary McCabe, but Rovers made it 1-1 on 11 minutes thanks to an own goal.
The Bit o’Red went 2-1 up through Chris Kenny, before McCabe struck again to level the scoring before half-time.
Bray had no response to Sadlier’s 54th minute free-kick, giving Rovers a vital three points after a difficult start to the season,
Dave Robertson’s men came into this fixture sitting bottom of the table on goal difference, still looking for their first victory of the season, having picked up their first point a week ago in a draw with St Patrick’s Athletic.
Bray, who inflicted two 4-0 defeats on the Bit o’Red in 2016, had picked up three victories prior to tonight’s game.
The visitors started strongest, and took the lead after a mere three minutes. Aaron Greene’s cross bounced awkwardly in the Sligo area, and a miscued clearance fell into the path of former Rovers man McCabe, who smashed the ball past Patton.
That didn’t deter the hosts from having a go though, and they pulled back level on 26 minutes. Kieran Sadlier was causing Bray all sorts of problems, and his delivery into the box took a touch off former Rovers man Foran, which diverted it into the goal past Cherrie.
The hosts’ tails were up, and they soon took the lead close to the half-hour mark. Once again, Sadlier initiated the move, sending his ball to the feet of Kenny, who hit it first time from close range to make it 2-1.
But The Seagulls were looking dangerous everytime they went forward, and when Mick Leahy clipped McCabe on the edge of the box, referee Paul Tuite awarded the visitors a free-kick in an excellent position.
McCabe needed no invitation to shoot directly from the free, and he made it 2-2 on 38 minutes, when his effort sailed into the top right-hand corner, with Patton given no chance.
Greene could very well have given the visitors the lead again after the re-start, when his excellent shot from distance just skimmed the crossbar.
But it was the hosts who went ahead again in stunning fashion. With a free-kick from around 30 yards, Sadlier’s pile-driver flew past Cherrie to make it 3-2 to Rovers with his third goal in three games.
Bray did try to find an equaliser late on, but they could not beat down a confident and spirited Sligo Rovers side who refused to crumble.
That result takes Dave Robertson’s side off the bottom of the table, as they move above St Pat’s and Galway.
Sligo Rovers: Shaun Patton, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Mick Leahy, Kyle Callan-McFadden, Liam Martin, Chris Kenny (Gary Boylan, 88), John Russell, Craig Roddan, Kieran Sadlier (Daniel Kearns, 83), Raffaele Cretaro (Mathew Stevens, 88), Jonah Ayunga.
Subs not used: Micheal Schlingermann, John Mahon, Jack Keaney, Mikey Place.
Bray Wanderers: Peter Cherrie, Ryan Robinson (Conor Earley, 28), Conor Kenna, Derek Foran, Kevin Lynch, Aaron Greene, John Sullivan (Ryan Brennan, 75), Mark Salmon, Gary McCabe, Dylan Connolly, Anthony Flood (Ger Pender, 82).
Subs not used: Lee Steacy, Hugh Douglas, Tim Clancy, Jason Marks.
Referee: Paul Tuite.
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We’ve a really good side but still lacking in the final third. We just don’t seem to have a cutting edge up front and lack a decent playmaker to play killer passes. We could do with a second Katie McCabe in the middle to create some openings.
@GrumpyAulFella: aged like milk
O’Sullivan is great at the back
Big test. This team has a history of choking when expected to win.
Hopefully they’ll pass the test with flying colours tonight!