Sligo RoversDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 July 2021 | 7:00 pm | UEFA Conference League | 2021/22 |
Match Report
Sligo slip up against FH Hafnarfjardar
Icelandic club FH Hafnarfjardar will take the advantage to the Showgrounds for the second leg of the Europa Conference League, after their 1-0 win over Sligo Rovers tonight as Scottish forward Steven Lennon found the breakthrough score in the 85th minute.
Neither side threatened the goal in the opening half, great defending by Lewis sniffing out any danger that the home side would bring while deputising goalkeeper Luke McNicholas looked solid in possession and under a high ball.
The FH defence were solid in the opening half, the defenders swarming Romeo Parkes in the area leaving him isolated and coughing up possession. The home side broke moments later with the opportunity coming to nothing as the FH players appealed for a penalty with nothing given.
FH could have taken the lead in the 38th minute as a cross was met by Lennon but his header struck the outside of the post.
The home outfit looked the stronger of the two sides as the end of the opening half approached, another close chance coming in the 44th minute as Jonatan Jonsson came close with a volley but his shot went wide.
Sligo’s best chance of the opening half came in stoppage time, a lovely over the top ball by Parkes set up Jordan Gibson inside the box but the ball couldn’t escape from the forward's feet and his shot went straight at Nielsen in the FH goal.
The Bit O’Red kept the pressure on the home side as Parkes was sent through on the break, the attacker never looked up to square in for DeVries who’s pass sent him in and the chance came to nothing for the visitors.
Sligo should have taken the lead not once but twice in the second half, substitute Figueria breaking down the wing and crossing for Jordan Gibson but his shot was inadvertently hit off Parkes on its way toward goal. The second chance came from a corner seconds later as Gibson crossed in and the header was met by David Blaney but his header only went straight at Nielsen.
The home side finally found the net in the 85th minute. Lennon who missed a chance in the opening half made no mistake late on in the second half as the smallest man on the pitch met a cross expertly and he headed home to the corner of the net.
Timeline
| 4. Shane Blaney | 33' | |
| 6. Greg Bolger | 59' | |
| Ryan DeVries Walter Figueira | 64' | |
| Mark Byrne David Cawley | 64' | |
| 6. Greg Bolger | 77' |
Ground
| Kaplakriki |
|---|
| Flatahraun, Setberg, Hafnarfjordur, Capital Region, 220, Iceland |
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.
Lennon and Jonsonn depart for the home side after a great night for FH
Steven Lennon gets his name on the scoresheet, heading home from close range
Oscar Dimitrijevic comes on for the home side
The Rovers captain picks up a second yellow card for diving
Another huge chance for Rovers from the resulting corner, the ball is met on the head by Shane Blaney but the defenders header is straight at Nielsen
How are Sligo not ahead.. A massive chance for the visitors as Figueira broke away playing in Gibson but his shot ends up deflecting off team mate Romeo Parkes, as the forward was trying to get out of the way.
Walter Figueria will come on to the field replacing DeVries
David Cawley will come on to the field replacing Mark Byrne
Tactical foul by the Rovers captain, pulling down one of the FH players breaking down on goal
No changes for Sligo Rovers at Half Time
A massive chance for Sligo, a fantastic over the top ball by Romeo Parkes sees Jordan Gibson in, the rovers man struggles to get the ball out for is feet as the shot goes straight at Nielsen
Another chance for the home side coming late in the half as Jonatan Jonsson its a snapshot wide of the Sligo goal
Biggest chance of the half for the home side as Steven Lennon connects from a cross but his header hits the outside of the post, massive let off for The Bit O'Red
Greg Bolger hits a snap shot on the volley but the ball goes straight into the arms of Gunnar Nielsen
Guomann Porisson also receives a yellow card for the home side
Yellow card for the Sligo man after fouling in the middle of the park
Yellow card for Jonatan Jonsson of the home side FH
Major chance for the home side but great defending by Lewis Banks gets rid of the danger, FH players scream for a penalty for a potential hand ball but the referee has had none of it
Neither Keeper has had a job to do yet, young Luke McNicholas deputising for McGinty tonight has shown confidence so far on the ball, still 0-0
Sligo are enjoying much the better of the possession at the moment
No major chances early on as Jordan Gibson sends a ball in from a free but the referee blows for a free out
Not much to report on yet as both sides start to get a foot in the game
No Ed McGinty tonight which is a huge loss for the Bit O'Red
Anticipation is building for Liam Buckleys side as they make their first appearance in Europe since 2014
Hello, my name is Diarmuid Kearney and I will bring you live updates of tonights Europa Conference League First Leg as Sligo Rovers take on FH