Sligo Rovers moved up to second in the League of Ireland Premier Division table after Ellis Chapman's second half goal gave John Russell’s side a 1-0 victory over Waterford FC.
The Bit O’Red followed up their recent run of results against Shamrock Rovers, Drogheda United and Dundalk by ending the Blues' unbeaten home record in 2024 in front of 2,751 spectators.
Sligo had to do it the hard way as they finished out the game with ten men after Simon Power was dismissed in the 76th minute.
This turned a positive performance into a conservative one, and the version of the team that saw the game out was a totally different one to the group that forced a corner inside 60 seconds.
Fabrice Hartmann’s set-piece came to nothing and this was followed by a passage of play involving the RB Leipzig loanee and Charlie Wiggitt ending in a Waterford turnover.
The Blues grew into the game and their first chance came from a chipped Niall O’Keeffe pass to Maleace Asamoah but the forward's header hit the roof of the net. The would-be scorer won a corner mid-way through the half, and this was sent to Ryan Burke. The full-back dribbled into space and unleashed a shot that was pushed out of play by Ed McGinty.
Sam Sargeant was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the minutes leading up to the break, with the shot-stopper called in to deal with attempts by Hartmann and Nando Pijnaker.
Any risk associated with these advances paid off in the 50th minute when Chapman picked his spot and fired in from distance.
What a goal from Ellis Chapman to give Sligo Rovers the lead in the RSC! #LOI | #WATSLI pic.twitter.com/tguuM5JRTR
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) March 29, 2024
Sligo were a goal to the good and Waterford responded by pushing high up the pitch. A stray Blues’ pass was then picked off by Max Mata, and Sargeant stood his ground to deny the New Zealand international.
This was the start of a prolonged period in possession by a Sligo team re-energised by the introductions of Kailin Barlow, William Fitzgerald, and Wilson Waweru.
Simon Power’s dismissal for violent conduct changed the game, and Sligo reacted by switching to a 3-4-2 formation.
This congested the space around the box and pushed Waterford into wide positions where Connor Parsons and Christie Pattison waited for the ball.
Padraig Amond went the closest to equalising but a flicked-on effort by the striker was easily picked up by McGinty.
Waterford FC: Sam Sargeant; Darragh Power, Ryan Burke, Niall O’Keeffe (Ben McCormack 70), Grant Horton, Rowan McDonald, Padraig Amond, Conor Parsons, Maleace Asamoah (Dean McMenamy 70), Darragh Leahy (Connor Evans 85), Kacper Radkowski (Christie Pattison 70).
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Reece Hutchinson, Ellis Chapman (Kailin Barlow 65), Charlie Wiggett, Niall Morahan, Fabrice Hartmann (William Fitzgerald 65), Oliver Denham, Max Mata (Wilson Waweru 65), Simon Power, Conor Malley, Nando Pijnaker.
Referee: Marc Lynch
