| Athlone and Rovers stalemate as Boco gets off mark |
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| Tuesday, 19 February 2008 | |
 As preparations continue for the new season, Sligo Rovers travelled to a cold Athlone last night and played out a draw with the First Division outfit, who had a large contingent of former Rovers' players.
Rovers fielded a strong team with Mauro Alexandre De Silva Almeida and Alan Moore the only trialists starting the game. The Bit o'Red struggled to make any sort of impact in the opening quarter in what proved to be a game of few chances. It was Athlone who had the first clear cut opportunity in the 23rd minute and they scored the opening goal from it. Former Rovers player Jason Mc Cartney delivered an excellent cross from the left and Eric Levine scored with a free header from seven yards The goal was a wake up call for Rovers and they began to get into the game as the half went on. Sean Doherty and Fahrudin Kudozovic both had chances from a free kick on the edge of the box but the Athlone defenders were quick to block any shot on goal The Bit O’Red did not muster up anything more than that in the 45 minutes. In the second half they began to take control of the game but were struggling to create the opportunity to equalize. Doherty curled a shot just over the bar from a free kick. In the 58th minute Philip Reilly drew a smart save from Pat Jennings as his attempted cross had to be helped over the bar. Rovers made two substitutions in the 60th minute with Romauld Boco making his debut for his new club. The lively Alan Moore was troubling the Athlone defence and he set up another sub, Brian Cash, but unfortunately the Dubliner shot straight at the keeper. Moore threatened again five minutes later but with eight minutes left Rovers finally got back on level terms. Doherty played Kudozovic through who attemped to go around Athlone keeper Ciaran Kelly but he was fouled. Boco stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way and score his first goal for the club. It was the away side who were pressing for the winner and again it was Sean Doherty with the long range strike but it went narrowly wide. Rovers had to make do with a draw; their next friendly is Finn Harps in the Showgrounds this Friday night with an 8pm kick off Sligo Rovers: Jennings, Cretaro, Mc Kenzie, Almeida, Butler, Murphy[ Cash,60], O’ Grady, Moore, Doherty, Judge[ Boco, 60], Kudozovic By Rory Houston |
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