- Alan Finn
- Sun, Feb 17 2013
Despite controlling possession for much of the game, Sligo Rovers’ first game of the year in The Showgrounds proved to be a disappointing one as Finn Harps held them to a 1-1 draw.
Pascal Millien, unintentionally, had the first chance on goal of the game as he saw a cross from the left steer towards goal, but much to Ciaran Gallagher’s relief it landed on the roof of the Finn Harps net.
With just 21 minutes played, Harps were forced into a substitution when Marc Brolly came on for the injured Ciaran Coll. Moments later, they could have taken the lead against the run of play when Kevin McHugh tried his luck from 25 yards with a powerful strike, but Gary Rogers was equal to it.
Evan McMillan came close to scoring on his Showgrounds debut as a Sligo player when he rose highest to meet a Millien corner, but the centre-back was unable to connect properly with a header.
Finn Harps looked to be growing in confidence in the second-half, but McHugh will still be wondering how he did not give his side the lead in the 66th minute as he picked the ball up in space in the box with the goal at his mercy, but somehow managed to drag his shot well wide of goal.
Three minutes later, the deadlock was finally broken. A ball over the top of the Harps defence was met by the onrushing Aaron Greene who took control and made his way into the box before being taken down. The referee awarded a penalty which Ross Gaynor stepped and converted confidently as he sent Gallagher the wrong way.
The lead wouldn’t last long however as Harps equalised just minutes later when Thomas McBride picked out substitute Sean McCarron at the back post with a cross to head home from close range.
Substitute Rafael Cretaro came agonisingly close to restoring the home team’s lead when he skipped past two defenders before having a shot which rolled just wide of the target.
Liam Martin was enjoying an impressive cameo performance since his introduction in the second-half, and when he outpaced his man on the left, he crossed a ball into the box but with both the pace of the ball and the angle against him, the chance was simply too difficult to for Millien to convert as he met it at the far post.
The Haitian International set up the final opportunity of the game when he chested a ball down for Greene who looked like he might win it late on for the home side, but was denied by the legs of Gallagher.
Sligo Rovers: Gary Rogers; Alan Keane, Gavin Peers, Evan McMillan (Jeff Henderson, 64), Iarfhlaith Davoren (Liam Martin, 71); Pascal Millien, Seamus Conneely (David Cawley, 46), Lee Lynch, Ryan Connolly, Ross Gaynor; Aaron Greene.
Subs not used: Ciaran Kelly, Marty Owens, Hugh McFadden, Shane McGinty.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Aaron O’Hagan (Sean McCarron, 64), Damien McNulty, Thomas McGonagle, Matthew Crossan; Thomas Bonnar, Michael Funston (Matt Harkin, 64), Thomas McBride, Shaun McGowan, Ciaran Coll (Marc Brolly, 21); Kevin McHugh (Paul McVeigh, 81).
Subs not used: Josh Mailey, Mark Forker, Shaun Patton.
