Credit:
Derry City -v- Sligo Rovers
- Jamie Mahon
- Mon, Jun 20 2011
Derry City, fresh from a superb performance against Bohemians, welcome Sligo Rovers, a side they have lost to twice this season, to the Brandywell on Tuesday in what is sure to be a thoroughly entertaining game of football. (Kick off, 7.45)
On paper these two teams are impossible to separate, both having played 18 games and both garnering 33 pts in the process. The opening game of the season at the Brandywell, was a very even affair with an 88th minute Aaron Greene strike the only goal of a game that could have gone either way.
The return fixture at the Showgrounds was marred by nine yellow and four red cards, with Derry City finishing the game with eight men and on the end of a 3-0 scoreline, a result which doesn’t reflect how evenly matched these two sides are.
Sligo have five wins and a draw from their last seven games and are coming into this game in good form having smashed four past UCD on Saturday night. And, with Rafael Cretaro and Eoin Doyle approaching top form, Sligo will be a massive threat to the home sides’ excellent home record which has seen them unbeaten since the first game of the season, ironically against the Bit o’ Red.
Derry, however, will be full of confidence after humbling Bohemians 3-0 on Friday last. In Eamon Zayed, have a striker that just can’t seem to stop scoring goals, with another two against Bohs taking him onto 14 league goals for the season. That is three ahead of his nearest rival who is Sligos’ Eoin Doyle. James McClean is another man in scintillating form and has been attracting a great deal of interest from a host of cross channel clubs.
Derry will have to do without Barry Molloy, however, as he has suffered a recurrence of his ankle ligament injury and is expected to be out for a few weeks. The vastly experienced Eddie McCallion should therefore slot in at right back in his absence. Emmett Friars also misses out as he still hasn’t recovered from a hip problem.
Sligo will welcome back Gavin Peers after suspension and Joseph Ndo and Derek Foran are fit again. But Iarfhlaith Davoren will miss out after picking up a knock.
Paul Cook said “It’s a big game for us, and we’re coming up against a strong Derry side. If you look at the calibre of their team, they are as strong as any side in the division. We’ll be going all out to try and win the game and it should be an excellent game because Derry are a very good attacking side as well”.
Derry captain Kevin Deery commented, “It’s going to be a very hard game for us as we are coming up against a side that are second favourites to win the league. They are a really tough side and they have some really good players, but our current form will give us a bit of confidence.”
Derry City
Injured: Barry Molloy (ankle), Emmett Friars (hip).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Sligo Rovers
Injured: Iarfhlaith Davoren (knock).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Referee: Tom Connolly.
Paddy Power Odds: Derry City 13/10; Draw 11/5; Sligo Rovers 2/1.
Extratime prediction: Derry to nick it 2-1 with home advantage.
About Jamie Mahon
Jamie Mahon joined the Extratime team at the beginning of 2011. Hailing from the North West, Jamie reports on all things Derry City. He can be contacted at theearcher@hotmail.com or on Twitter @JamieMahon23.