| Shelbourne move a step closer to title with victory over Rovers |
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| Wednesday, 08 November 2006 | |
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Shelbourne look to have the eircom League, Premier Division title wrapped up after a hard-fought 2-0 defeat of managerless Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds. Report courtesy, www.fai.ie Sligo Rovers 0 – 2 Shelbourne (S Byrne 28, Hughes og 68) eircom League Tues 7 Nov, 7.45 pm The Showgrounds A superb strike from captain Stuart Byrne and an Adam Hughes own goal earned the visitors all three points, and puts them six points clear at the top and within touching distance of the trophy. Shels made a couple of changes from Friday’s draw with Drogheda, as Alan Moore and Jamie Harris replaced Greg O’Halloran and Bobby Ryan. Rovers, in their first game since the departure of manager Sean Connor, welcomed back captain Michael McNamara. Recalled defender Jamie Harris went closest in a lively start to the game. He met Joseph Ndo’s cross on 11 minutes, but his header hit the bar. Ollie Cahill forced a great save off Richard Brush on 24 minutes, and from the subsequent corner Glen Crowe smashed Alan Moore’s delivery off the bar. But Shels were not to be denied a third time and a second corner dropped invitingly to Stuart Byrne at the edge of the box, and he rattled the Sligo net on the half volley. Richie Baker, on for the injured Ndo, who is likely to miss the remainder of the season, went close just before the break but his shot was deflected for a corner, while a Moore free-kick from the edge of the box flew past the far post. Rovers came out with a renewed vigour for the second-half, however, and Fahrudin Kudozovic saw a superb 35-yard effort bounce off the top of the crossbar six minutes into the half. But Shels remained the dominant force and Gary O’Neill’s cross was deflected just before it reached Crowe in the box. From the resulting corner, Colin Hawkins headed narrowly wide. At the other end Conor O’Grady burst into the box and crossed for McNamara, but he could not get his header on target. McNamara’s brave header prevented Crowe connecting with another Moore corner on 67 minutes, but the follow-up corner created Shels’ insurance goal. The ball flew across goal and as a Shelbourne player headed it back in, Adam Hughes tried to intercept, but his header caught Brush flat-footed and crept over the line. McTiernan and Foy went close late on as Rovers tried to end their miserable scoreless run, but Shels had the ball in the net for a third time when Sean Dillon’s cross evaded everyone, but there was a Shels player offside. Sligo Rovers: Brush, Peers, McNamara, MacKenzie, Foy, Kudozovic, O’Grady, Hughes, Singh (Curran 4), McTiernan (Aisien 90), Mansaram (Bellew 20). Subs not used: O’Hara, Coleman. Shelbourne: Williams, Harris, Dillon, Hawkins, Rogers, Ndo (Baker 27), Moore (O’Halloran 82), Stuart Byrne, Cahill, O’Neill, Crowe (Jason Byrne 75). Subs not used: Delaney, Ryan. Referee: Mr. A. Buttimer (Cork). |
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