Stalemate in Sligo not the result United were seeking

Galway United 1

Sligo Rovers 1

Patrick Flaherty  at the Showgrounds

THE Connacht Derby is never going to be the highest profile encounter in the Airtricity League, but going on Saturday’s rendition it may become even less important in Irish football fans’ eyes, as both clubs come closer to the realisation that the Western rivals could easily be playing in the First Division next season.

Both clubs entered the contest knowing a win would lift them out of the relegation zone, and while a point was enough to get Sligo safe, it was sad to see the rival teams struggle significantly to muster up many real goal threats in the second half in a game where both sides so desperately needed a victory.

An early Jonah Ayunga strike was cancelled out 13 minutes later by Stephen Folan to earn United a point in a game were neither side would have left the pitch happy.

It was the hosts who started proceedings the strongest as a Kieran Sadlier free from just outside the box fell beautifully at the feet of defender Michael Leahy, who blasted over from close range with the goals at his mercy.

Sligo were in complete control of the opening exchanges and that pressure eventually saw them take the lead on 11 minutes as a fine pass from Liam Martin found Jonah Ayunga, and when Lee Grace mistimed his tackle it left the Kenyan international with enough space to shoot under the legs of Conor Winn to open the scoring.

Sligo looked completely dominant in the opening quarter, and were doing so through a fairly basic approach of a long ball down the middle, but on a number of occasions the United defence were struggling to deal with them, resulting in numerous chances from corners for Gerard Lyttle’s charges.

United needed to lift their game if they were to have any hope of a rare league victory at the Showgrounds and to their credit they seemed to find a new lease of life following the goal, as Rovers began to struggle to deal with the threat Marc Ludden and his long throw ins possessed.

And it was from a Ludden throw that the Tribesmen got their equaliser when Schlingermann failed to claim the long ball allowing defender Stephen Folan to pounce and grab a crucial goal.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.