League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Derry City

• Dave Donnelly
• Tue, Sep 29 2020




SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers will look to return to winning ways (and fourth position) as they host Derry City in a game brought forward due to international call-ups (kick-off 7.45pm).

The game had been due to take place on October 11^th but, with both sides likely to have players in the two Irish under-21 sides, the game was carried forward.

A quick turnaround might be just what both teams crave following morale-sapping defeats at the weekend.

Sligo’s strong showing since the resumption of football has hit the skids in the past couple of weeks with successive defeats to Bohemians and Waterford.

Matty Smith’s spectacular volley proved the difference between the Bit o’ Red and Waterford at the RSC on Saturday.

“It was a fantastic goal out of nothing that won the game, a brilliant strike and they didn’t trouble us much thereafter,” Buckley told the club’s media team.

“It was their only really chance. We huffed and puffed, we made some openings, we could have produced more. You need a bit of luck and it just didn’t fall for us.

“I thought we could have got the draw but it didn’t happen for us. It was frustrating, but we’re still in there.

“I said to the players that we have no time or reason to look back on that game and feel sorry for ourselves. We’ve got five matches to try to win.

“We’re looking at every game as must-win because of what it can do. You see St Pat’s moving up with one win, how close Derry were to joining them last Friday.”

Danny Kane (ankle), Darren Collins (ankle), Sigitas Olberkis (hamstring) and Johnny Dunleavy (knee) are out. David Cawley will serve a one-game ban.

DERRY CITY

Like Sligo, Derry will hope to put a disappointing weekend result behind them after Bohemians scored twice in stoppage time to win 2-1 on Friday night,

The Candystripes had been comfortable the better side at Dalymount Park and led as early as the second minute through James Akintunde’s smart finish.

They had more chances but one goal looked to be enough until Adam Hammill gave away a penalty in the third minute of injury time, which Keith Ward converted.

Worse was to come as sub Colm Horgan conceded a penalty wide on the right and the resulting cross ran loose, into the path of Andre Wright, who gratefully stabbed home.

"It was a very quiet journey home on Friday night, that's for sure,” manager Declan Devine told the club’s official website.

"People have been saying how well we've played, and that's ok, but the fact is we came out of the match with nothing. We have to be stronger than that.

"I've said all along that I have genuine faith in this group of players and the performance was excellent for 90 minutes. We have to build on that.

"We don't have time to feel sorry for ourselves with three games in a week but the mood is good anyway and having everyone fit again is a great boost."

"There's still a third of the season to go from here so it's important we keep moving forward."

Ally Gilchrist, Gerardo Bruna, Joe Thomson and Stephen Mallon missed the game in Phibsboro but all trained fully on Monday and will be available for selection.

Referee: Neil Doyle.

MATCH STATS

The sides have met once to date this season, in the first game upon the return of football in July, with Sligo running out 2-0 winners.

That was Sligo’s first win of the season and they’d go on to win six of their first seven post-lockdown games before losing their two most recent ties.

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 9/5; Draw 19/10; Derry City 6/4.

PREDICTION

Sligo Rovers 0 – 1 Derry City

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Danny Kane (ankle), Darren Collins (ankle), Sigitas Olberkis (hamstring), Johnny Dunleavy (knee).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: David Cawley.

Derry City

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.