Sligo Rovers moved into third position in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division thanks to a 3-1 win over Finn Harps. The Bit O'Red fought off a strong Harps challenge at the Showgrounds to secure the three points as Ollie Horgan's side were re
A draw at the very least away to UCD next Friday would guarantee Sligo Rovers’ Premier Division survival after the Bit O’Red beat Finn Harps at the Showgrounds.
First half goals from Niall Watson, Ronan Murray and Sam Warde followed up by a late Harry Ascroft strike for the visitors. In need of the points much more than their rivals, it was the visitors who actually started this one the brighter.
Nathan Boyle wasn’t miles off with an early header from a Mark Timlin cross. Despite their early raids forward, Harps’ world fell apart in an eight minute spell in which they conceded three.
Daryl Fordyce had an effort taken off the line eleven minutes in, but the Donegal side were powerless to resist as Sligo hit the lead 21 minutes in. Watson added too much power to his header as he nodded past Mark McGinley having been picked out by a Murray cross.
Watson’s second strike in as many outings. Rovers had their second three minutes later. Murray cut inside from the left before sending an unstoppable drive across the front of McGinley and into the opposite corner of the net for his first goal of the season.
Two became three on 29. Warde’s corner creeping all the way past a forest of legs before sneaking in at the back post. Timlin’s resulting shot from a well worked Mark Coyle set piece was blocked away by Danny Kane early in the second period.
While Boyle’s strength saw him see off two Sligo defenders, but the 25-year-old could only blast over from 15 yards. Harps the livelier from the dressing rooms once more.
Harps did cause significant uncertainty in the Rovers camp late on. Ascroft turned Tony McNamee’s long throw past McGinty. While Cretaro saw a powerful effort bounce off the frame of the goal at the re-start.
