- Tom O'Connor
- Sat, Jul 29 2023
A pulsating draw at Weavers Park saw Sligo Rovers take a two goal lead courtesy of Stefan Radosaljevic and a Conor Keeley own goal before Drogheda United's Adam Foley and Dayle Rooney pegged the visitors back.
With the sides having met at same venue in the FAI Cup a week previous, Sligo Rovers traveled to the east coast desperate to make amends for their cup exit and they dominated the opening proceedings.
The Bit O'Red were comfortable spraying the ball around the carpet like surface without overly busying the Drogheda United penalty area, manned by 17 year old netminder Andrew Wogan, 19 year old Emmanuel Adegboyega and the 25 year old Conor Keeley.
Both teenagers played with an assurance which belied their youth and look destined for a future beyond the League of Ireland, a fact recognised by the Boynesiders who tied both to professional deals earlier in the season.
It was another teen who was responsible for the visitors' opening goal just past the twenty minute mark- Rovers' Kailin Barlow threaded a pass to David Cawley on the angle of the penalty area. His low driven effort across Wogan pinged off the bottom of the post before the onrushing Radosaljevic stroked the ball to the net despite the best efforts of Luke Heeney on the goal line.
With Niall Morahan positioned at left back for the evening given the unavailability of more recognisable options in the position, Sligo were forced into a further defensive reshuffle at half time. Dominant centre half John Mahon made way for Garry Buckley - the Corkman seeing competitive action for only the second time in twelve months following a cameo substitute appearance last week.
The second change at the interval saw Barlow withdrawn for Estonian winger Frank Liivak. The creative attacker was booked within a minute of his arrival but made a more positive contribution on the hour mark, earning a free kick for his side on the right wing. Johann Brannefalk's whipped delivery was touched into the net by the unfortunate Keely to give the visitors a two goal cushion.
Drogs boss Kevin Doherty rang the changes on foot of this concession, making a double substitution of his own and altering the formation as a result. Off went number 9 Kyle Robinson and ex Sligo Rovers midfielder Darragh Noone. Into the fray came Aaron McNally and Warren Davis.
The back four subequently became a three with Luke Heeney pushing into midfield, Davis and Adam Foley a new strike partnership, Aaron McNally on the right wing and Dayle Rooney repositioning on the left hand side.
The former Shelbourne winger, playing slightly deeper now, lofted a pass into the visitors' penalty area causing difficultly for Nando Pijnaker and Luke McNicholas. The Mayo goalkeeper, who had earlier produced a fantastic save to deny Evan Weir, scrambled to deny Darragh Markey but Adam Foley pounced to extend his recent goalscoring run to six goals in his last seven games.
Buoyed by the goal and the extra intensity to their play, only seen since the substitutions, the home side went hunting for an equaliser which had looked relatively unlikely prior to Sligo's concession. McNicholas had to be sharp to drop to his right to deny Davis, who had stolen in from the right hand side to fire a fizzing low effort on target.
However, there was little the Sligo keeper could do to prevent the Drogs sending their fans into raptures with the equalising goal in the 78th minute. It was that man Davis again involved, the teenager nodding down for Dayle Rooney to bundle the ball to the net from close range for his third strike of the season.
Having watched replacements make a difference to the home side, Sligo's John Russell turned to his own bench and unleashed new Portuguese signing Pedro Martelo. The imposing number 9 only recently arrived on loan from Belenenses with goalscoring pedigree, netting in both the semi final and final of the European Under 19s as Portugal claimed gold in 2018, and may prove to be a canny acquisition for the westerners as the league develops.
However, at Weavers Park his influence was sniffed out by Keeley and Adegboyega as both sides searched for a winner which would aid their journey towards midtable and away from any possible relegation scrap with Cork City. In the end it wasn't to be and both sides finished up with a point.
Drogheda United:Andrew Wogan; Emmanuel Adegboyega, Conor Keeley, Evan Weir; Gary Deegan, Adam Foley, Darragh Markey, Darragh Noone (Aaron McNally 64), Dayle Rooney; Luke Heeney, Kyle Robinson (Warren Davis 64).
Subs not used:Colm Cox, Colin McCabe, Jamie Egan, Luke Wade-Slater, Matthew O'Brien, Emre Topcu, Michael Leddy.
Booked: Adam Foley (29), Warren Davis (71)..
Sligo Rovers: Luke McNicholas; Johan Brannefalk, John Mahon (Garry Buckley 46), Nando Pijnaker; Kailin Barlow (Frank Liivak 46), Greg Bolger, Lukas Browning, David Cawley (James Finnerty 90), Niall Morahan; Max Mata, Stefan Radosavljevic (Pedro Martelo 74).
Subs not used:Conor Walsh, Kyle McDonagh, Conor Reynolds, Conor Campbell, Owen Elding.
Booked:Lukas Browning (10), Frank Liivak (46).
Referee:Paul McLaughlin
Attendance:1677
extratime.com Player of the Match: Emmanuel Adegboyega (Drogheda United).
