Shamrock Rovers 1 - 0 Flora Tallinn

Chris Turner got the goal that gives Shamrock Rovers a 1-0 lead over Flora Tallinn as they prepare to head to Estonia for the second leg of their Champions League qualifying tie.

Rovers tore into this game from the opening whistle, driven largely by Chris Turner and Ronan Finn whose energy in central midfield had the Estonians under immediate pressure. A Billy Dennehy cross in the second minute saw Pedok flapping unconvincingly at the ball but three minutes later the ‘keeper saved low to his left to deny Ronan Finn.

Dennehy forced Pedok into another save on 12 minutes as the pressure from the home side continued but Flora nearly worked an unlikely opening five minutes later when Sives almost directed a cross from Gert Kams into his own net.

Shortly before the half hour mark Turner wriggled into the box and drove a cross at Twigg but the striker was caught unawares by the pace of the ball and the opportunity bounced away. Moments later Twigg forced Pedok into another parried save before Dennehy found himself unmarked just eight yards from goal. His lobbed effort cleared Pedok but was hooked off the line by Baranov.

It seemed as if Rovers’ dominance must provide an opening but on 32 minutes Sives swiped at the ball in the corner of his own box but found only the legs of full back Markus Jurgenson. Henri Anier stepped up to the penalty and drove his effort low to Alan Mannus’ left but the Northern Ireland ‘keeper went the right way and pulled off a crucial save.

Two minutes later Rovers were ahead. Finn broke on the right and played a low ball into the centre where Pedok fumbled at the feet of Twigg and Turner. It was Turner who was first to the loose ball, smashing home from all of two yards.

Dean Kelly had the ball in the Flora net after 36 minutes but his header from a Finn cross was ruled out for off-side and both Ken Oman and Turner came close in the latter stages of the half.

The tempo dropped in the second half but it was still Rovers who held the initiative. They held the majority of possession and Flora were forced to defend for long periods. However, there was a moment of concern on 57 minutes when Stevens allowed a ball to run across the box and substitute Herrem had his powerful shot blocked on the edge of the Rovers box.

Rovers continued to hold the bulk of possession and to dominate their opponents but overly intricate approach play and a lack of confidence in front of goal led to growing frustration in the stands.

What chances fell their way were blasted wide or high and the final ball into the Estonian box rarely found a Hooped shirt. On 75 minutes Kelly controlled a through ball on his chest and might have added a second had he found more power with his shot or directed it marginally to the left.

Micheal O’Neill sent on Gary McCabe and Gary O’Neill in the closing stages but the mould had been cast and Rovers failed to improve on the score line despite McCabe whipping a free kick inches wide of goal in added time.

Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus; Pat Sullivan, Craig Sives, Ken Oman, Enda Stevens; Stephen O’Donnell (Gary O’Neill 83), Ronan Finn, Chris Turner (Conor McCormack, 71), Billy Dennehy; Gary Twigg, Dean Kelly (Gary McCabe 76).
Subs not used: Ryan Thompson, Dan Murray, Stephen Rice, Ciaran Kilduff.

Bookings: Turner (2).

Flora Tallinn: Stanislav Pedok; Gert Kams, Karl Palatu, Nikita Baranov, Markus Jurgenson; Rauno Alliku (Nikolai Masitsev 71), Sergei Mosnikov, Valeri Minkenen, Siim Luts; Zakaria Beglarishvili (Geir Andre Herrem, 46), Henri Anier (Hannes Anier 88).
Subs not used: Aiko Orgla, Meelis Peitre, Aleksei Jahhimovets, Andre Frolov.

Bookings: None.

Referee: Jakob Kehlet (Denmark).
Attendance: 5,125.
extratime.ie Man of the Match: Chris Turner.