Goals from Adam Morgan and Alistair Roy were enough to see Sligo Rovers take their first points of the season with a 2-1 victory over Derry City. Ronan Curtis' last minute goal proved to be nothing more than a consolation, as they are still without
Goals from Adam Morgan and Alistair Roy were enough to see Sligo Rovers take their first points of the season with a 2-1 victory over Derry City.
Ronan Curtis' last minute goal proved to be nothing more than a consolation, as they are still without any points with two games played.
Both sides suffered defeats on the opening day of the season, so both managers were keen to take three points on a cold and breezy night at The Showgrounds.
This game was initially scheduled to take place at The Brandywell, but with the Derry venue not yet ready, the game was switched to The Showgrounds meaning Ger Lyttle's side play three home games in a row to start off the season.
Curtis' first minute shot set the tempo for the opening few minutes, with the Bit o'Red breaking almost immediately when Eduardo Pinceli's quick free-kick was forwarded to McAleer from Morgan, the former Finn Harps man just struggling to get on the end of it with Ben Doherty breathing down his neck.
The Bit o'Red continued to irritate the Candystripes defence, Ally Roy's cross just missing McAleer, with Darren Cole intercepting Rhys McCabe's brilliant ball for Adam Morgan.
Mitchell Beeney made his debut for the hosts and he was called into action with 18 minutes on the clock when his brilliant block kept out a Ronan Hale strike after good build-up from Ronan Curtis and Doherty.
Former Derry man Patrick McClean also made his debut for Ger Lyttle's side, and he forced an excellent save from Ger Doherty when his shot on the volley looked like it was enough to give Rovers the lead.
Chelsea loanee Beeney made another outstanding stop from a Ronan Hale shot, before Doherty did well to keep out a McCabe effort.
With half-time approaching, a glorious ball over the top from Eduardo Pincei fell nicely for Morgan, but Doherty just got there in time to avert the danger.
The Derry stopped was proving to be the only thing in Sligo Rovers' way as he again prevented a certain goal, forcing an excelelent David Cawley effort over the bar.
The visitors were eventually broken down on 76 minutes when Morgan managed to get the final touch, forcing the ball over the line after a goalmouth scramble.
It was soon 2-0 to the hosts when a defence splitting ball from Cawley fell perfectly for Hearts loanee Roy, who just tucked the ball past Doherty.
Derry managed to pull one back late on through Curtis who made light work of the Rovers defence, but it proved to be too little, too late.
Sligo Rovers: Mitchell Beeney; Gary Boylan, Kyle Callan-McFadden, Seamus Sharkey, Patrick McClean; Rhys McCabe, David Cawley, Eduardo Pinceli; Caolan McAleer (Craig Roddan, 87), Adam Morgan (Greg Moorhouse, 84), Ally Roy.
Derry City: Ger Doherty; Conor McDermott (Jamie McDonagh, 61), Armin Aganovic, Darren Cole, Ben Doherty; Nicky Low, Aaron McEneff; Ronan Curtis, Rory Hale (Eoin Toal 78), Ronan Hale; Rory Patterson.
