The Blues fell to defeat in Sligo on Saturday evening, as goals either side of half-time from Archie Meekison & Will Fitzgerald gave John Russell’s men all three points.
Ahead of kick-off, Jon Daly, made five changes to his side form our last outing at Dalymount Park on Easter Monday, with Kevin Long, Benny Couto, Trae Coyle, Jorgen Voilas & Luke Heeney all coming into our starting-eleven at the Showgrounds.
It was Sligo’s centre-half Sean McHale who posted the first threat of the game, as his left-footed effort from just inside the blues penalty area was sliced wide of Arlo Doherty’s goal after eight minutes.
The Blues’ first clear chance of the game came after 16, when Trae Coyle beat Jeannot Esua down the left-wing, before finding Jorgen Voilas who fired his effort just wide of Sam Sargeant’s goal inside the Sligo six-yard box.
And just two minutes later, that missed opportunity came back to bite the Blues as the hosts found themselves 1-0 up through Archie Meekison. Will Fitzgerald found space down the sligo left-hand channel, before finding Meekison at the back post who opened the scoring from close-range.
On 25 minutes, Kevin Long intercepted Daire Patton’s goal bound headed effort after the Sligo academy graduate got on the end of Jeannot Esua’s cross, before Carl McHugh flashed an effort from distance over Doherty’s crossbar moments later.
Ollie Denham had a big opportunity of his own for John Russell’s side five minutes before half-time, as the Sligo midfielder headed inches wide from Will Fitzgerald’s cross on the left, much to the disappointment of the home support.
McHugh & McHale both came close to doubling the advantage for the Bit O’ Red, as Jon Daly changed his shape in the final minutes of the first half with Jordan Houston & Hayden Cann introduced in place of Alan Zborowski & Jorgen Voilas five minutes before half-time.
With 51′ on the clock, the Blues thought they were level when Benny Couto’s cross fell to the feet of Kevin Long, who’s effort was blocked out from inside the Sligo six-yard area.
The hosts found their second twelve minutes into the second-half when Archie Meekison’s cross wasn’t fully dealt with as Will Fitzgerald tapped home at the back post to double their advantage.
Benny Couto tested Sam Sargeant just after the hour mark with a stinging effort after getting on the end of Trae Coyle’s cross, before Jordan Houston fired the loose ball just over the Sligo crossbar as we looked to get back into the game. Hayden Cann also headed a Benny Couto set-piece delivery just over moments later, as the Blues continued to threaten.
With 15 minutes remaining, Arlo Doherty produced an excellent save from Cian Kavanagh from close-range as the hosts look to add to their advantage.
The Blues thought they pulled one back with eight minutes remaining as Luke Heeney tapped home from close-range from Tommy Lonergan’s cross, only for the linesman’s flag to be held up for offside despite protests from the Blues players.
Despite late pressure from the Blues, the hosts saw out the remaining minutes to secure all three points at the Showgrounds.
Sligo Rovers FC: Sargeant (GK), Fitzgerald (C), Meekison, Kavanagh, McManus, Denham, McHugh (73′ Blaney), McHale, Esua, McElroy, Patton (73′ Nolan).
Waterford FC: Doherty (GK); Zborowski (41′ Houston), Mahon, Long, Couto; McLaughlin (60′ Glenfield), Heeney, McMenamy (60′ Carty); Voilas (41′ Cann), Amond (C) (70′ Lonergan), Coyle.
Attendance: 2,316.
