League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Sligo Rovers

• Simon O'Gorman
• Fri, Jun 27 2014




DROGHEDA UNITED

Darius Kierans takes charge of Drogheda United for the first time since 2010 on Friday night, as his new charges face a Sligo Rovers side who are also under new management with former Rochdale boss John Coleman taking up the reins for the Bit o’ Red.

 

With Drogheda in free-fall it was perhaps inevitable that Robbie Horgan wouldn’t make it through the summer break. Two consecutive 6-0 defeats in the run up to the two-week lay-off put the seal in a troubled tenure and the Drogheda board have turned to local lad Kierans in their hour of need. 

 

Kierans has a tough task on his hands as he seeks to reverse Drogheda’s slide towards the foot of the table. The Drogs lost all five of their league games since the 1-0 win over Bohemians in mid May and conceded 22 goals in the process.

 

Looking further back, that win over Bohs marked the only points Drogheda have registered in their last 11 league outings.

 

Kierans will be without suspended central defender Alan McNally for his return to the United Park hotseat. He will also have to wait on late fitness tests for Mick Daly and Ciaran McGuigan.

 

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers’ habit of looking to the city of Liverpool for their managers is in danger of becoming a tradition with the recent appointment of John Coleman in place of the recently departed Ian Baraclough.

 

Following the six year reign of Kirkby born Paul Cook, Baraclough had just one and a half seasons at the Showgrounds before Coleman - who has previously managed Accrington Stanley, Rochdale and Southport - was handed the job last weekend.

 

He takes over a team that lie fifth in the league table, fully nine points adrift of fourth placed Shamrock Rovers, and who have registered just two wins in their last six league outings.

 

Sligo also went out of both the EA Sports and FAI Cups at the first hurdle, going down to a Derry City side still managed by Roddy Collins in the former and being soundly whupped by league leaders Dundalk in the latter. The Bit o’ Red do, however, have a Europa League tie against Lithuanian side FK Banga to look forward to with the first leg being played in the city of Gargždai on 3rd of July.

 

Of more immediate concern will be Friday night’s clash at United Park for which Coleman will be without six first team players. Eric Odhiambo and Evan McMillan are both suspended while Joseph Ndo is injured, along with the defensive trio of Gavin Peers, Jeff Henderson and Alan Keane.

 

Speaking to sligorovers.com Coleman said, “You can’t feel sorry for yourself because of the absentees. We still have players available that will make up a good team and we won’t go there with any sympathy for ourselves on board.

 

“It’s been smashing this week. It’s been really enjoyable and you’ll see on Friday there’ll be a different emphasis to how we play from the work we’ve done. I can’t wait for the game. You can’t replicate the feeling of matches and I’m looking forward to getting going.” 

Referee: Derek Tomney

 

 

MATCH FACTS

Both teams have failed to score six times in their 2014 league campaigns. At the other end, Sligo have managed five clean sheets compared to Drogheda’s two.

 

Sligo have conceded six goals in their last three league games. In the same period, Drogheda have shipped a remarkable sixteen.

 

Although Sligo have out-scored Drogheda by five goals this season (23 -18), Drogheda’s top marksman (Fabio O’Brien with eight) has double the total of Sligo’s top scorer (John Russell with four). 

 

 

BETTING

Drogheda 11/2, Draw 4/1, Sligo 1/11.

 

PREDICTION

Drogheda  1-2  Sligo

 

 

Drogheda United

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Mick Daly, Ciaran McGuigan.
Suspended: Alan McNally.

 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Jeff Henderson, Joseph Ndo, Alan Keane, Gavin Peers.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Eric Odhiambo, Evan McMillan.