| First win of season continues to elude Rovers |
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| Sunday, 30 March 2008 | |
 Despite a series of chances for victory in the final half hour, Sligo Rovers will have to wait at least another week to register their first win of the new season after playing out a scoreless draw against UCD tonight at The Belfield Bowl.
Sligo Rovers put in an abject display as they failed to find a breakthrough against UCD in their first ever game in the Belfield Bowl. Rovers enjoyed the best of the play but poor passing and a lack of quality up front put paid to any hopes of securing their first win of the season. Rovers substitute Alan Moore went closest to finding a winner with an chip from the edge of the box which Matt Gregg tipped over, while UCD failed to test Sligo 'keeper Richard Brush in a game which lacked quality in the crucial final third. UCD threatened early when King's cross from the right was headed wide by Alan McNally from the penalty spot. Truthfully it was a game of few chances and The Bit O'Red struggled to ever get a grip on the game. It was only near the end of the first half when Rovers began to threaten the UCD goal. Anto Murphy and Romauld Boco were looking to repeat their goal scoring exploits from earlier in the week but their efforts were easily dealt with by UCD 'keeper Matt Gregg. UCD had the first half of the second half when Conor Kenna shot over after a scramble in the penalty area. Midway through the half Danny Ventre went on a mazy run and found himself inside the penalty area. There were appeals for a penalty after a UCD player struck the ball with his hand but these were waved away by referee Declan Hanney Soon after was one of the few exciting moments in the match. Confusion reigned in the UCD penalty area and Romauld Boco looked to have found his way around the goalkeeper but at the last second he grasped the ball away from the Benin international and the chance was gone. The Bit O'Red's other full international, Alan Moore, went closest for his side. He chipped the ball from outside the area but agonisingly for Rovers Matt Gregg got a hand to the ball and palmed it over. Referee Declan Hanney blew the full time whistle on a cold Belfield night which left both manager and supporters disappointed. Rovers will hope to bounce back from this display when they play Premier Division newcomers Cobh Ramblers next Saturday night. UCD: 1 Matt Gregg, 2 Alan Mahon, 3 Killian Gallagher, 4 Conor Kenna, 5 Brian Shortall, 6 Alan McNally, 7 Brian King, 8 Ronan Finn, 9 Darren Forsyth (12 Shane Fitzgerald 61 mins), 10 Timmy Purcell, 11 Pat McWalter. Substitutes not used: 13 Pat Mullins, 14 John Reilly, 15 Greg Bolger. Man of the match: Conor O'Grady
By Rory Houston |
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