Finn Harps 0-1 Sligo Rovers
Friday, 25 April 2008 22:29Finn Harps slumped to another defeat in the eircom League Premier Divison as they lost out to great rivals Sligo Rovers in Ballybofey.
Harps went into this game on the back of four straight defeats and with Drogheda United next up away, they knew it was a game that they could ill-afford to lose.
Once again, manager Paul Hegarty was forced to make changes due to injuries and this meant fielding without regular captain Tony Shields in midfield, or the experienced defender Jonathan Minnock and striker Stephen Parkhouse.
And for Hegarty there was the added frustration of having to watch the game from the television gantry as he started the first of a four-game touchline ban having been sent-off against Bohemians last month.
Sligo, by contrast, after a slow start to the season came to Ballybofey seeking to extend a four match unbeaten run.
After a strangely subdued start, Rovers conjured up the first opening through Gavin Peers in the 15th minute but his shot was capably dealt with by James Gallagher.
Sligo then went ahead in the 23rd minute. Conor Gethins lost possession outside the box and Sligo forced a corner, which was floated in by Fahridin Kudozovic for a totally unmarked Mauro Almeida to head home at the near post.
Kudozovic then fired a free inches wide on the half hour before Harps squandered a great chance when Marc Brolly laid a great ball into the path of Gethins but he blazed over
Sligo thought they had scored a second on 43 minutes. A Rafael Cretaro shot was spilled by Gallagher and Peers and Danny Ventre between them forced the ball out of the 'keeper's grasp but the goal was disallowed.
The second half started in a similar vein with Sligo looking lively and Cretaro just failed to get onto the end of a Kudozovic free.
Harps were lifted by an in-swinging Shaun Williams corner that hit the bar but Sligo defended stoutly and late on Matthew Judge headed against the bar.
Harps mounted a couple of attacks in stoppage-time but Sligo held out for a deserved win.
Finn Harps: Gallagher, Roddy, Holmes, Labonte, Malcolm, Boyle, Brolly, McGowan, Ramsey, Gethins, Williams. Subs: Breen and Gill for Ramsey and Boyle (both 45 mins), Funston for McGowan (78 mins).
Sligo Rovers: Brush, Coleman, Butler, Peers, Almeida, O'Grady, Cash, Ventre, Boco, Kudozovic, Cretaro. Murphy and Judge for Cash and Boco (both 62 mins), Moore for Kudozovic (75 mins).
Referee: Mr Richie Winter (Dublin).
