Both sides produced three goals each in their last meeting as the RSC, but the first half of this game passed without either goalkeeper breached. Rovers’ Ronan Coughlan had an early chance before Michael O’Connor’s header from a Tom Holland free fr
Sligo Rovers were unable to follow up their impressive win over Dundalk as they played out a scoreless draw with Waterford at a wind-swept Showgrounds.
Both sides struggled to produce much in terms of entertaining football throughout, with the inclement weather playing its part. John Mahon did enough to divert Shane Duggan’s shot at goal past Mitchell Beeney’s post early on.
While Beeney watched Ismahil Akinade’s drive from all of 30 yards as it swirled in the breeze. The majority of the goalmouth action continued at the Sligo end as the Munster men showed flashes of creativity down either flank.
Both Kyle McFadden and Jack Keaney were unable to clear Zack Elbouzedi’s cross before possession finally landed to Scott Twine. Beeney not overly-troubled as he gathered the Swindon loanee’s shot on the spin.
The second period had only just started when David Cawley pulled a super one handed save out of Matthew Connor. While both Twine and Rory Feely went close from consecutive corners at the opposite end.
Blues skipper Damien Delaney squandered a wonderful chance to break the deadlock on 62 minutes. The former Cork defender couldn’t direct Kevin Lynch’s corner inside the post while unmarked in front of goal.
Rovers boss Liam Buckley introduced both Liam Kerrigan and Romeo Parkes mid-way through the half. A move which almost paid off straight away. Cawley and Parkes linking up before the Jamaican’s first time pass sent Kerrigan through.
But the Tubbercurry man could only fire straight at Connor who scrambled the ball to safety. Elbouzedi forced a two handed save from Beeney following a swift Waterford counter as the game entered its final quarter.
Parkes was involved again five minutes from the death. Lewis Banks’ hard work won him the ball in midfield before he linked with Coughlan. The ex-Bray man then found Parkes who could only watch on as his dinked effort drifted past the far post from a tight angle.
