4 v 2 
Shamrock RoversDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 August 2021 | 5:00 pm | UEFA Conference League | 2021/22 |
Match Report
Tallinn take first blood against Rovers
Shamrock Rovers were dealt a blow as they fell to a 4-2 first leg defeat away to Flora Tallinn in the final round of UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying this evening.
Goals from Sergei Zenjov and Martin Miller put the hosts in a commanding position before Rovers got back into the tie shortly before half time through Graham Burke’s effort.
Rauno Sappinen put the hosts further in front before Liam Scales reduced the deficit but a second for Miller restored the home side’s two-goal cushion going into next week’s second leg.
The defeat ends Shamrock Rovers’ impressive eight-game winning streak in all competitions.
Despite a promising start, Rovers were behind after being caught playing out from the back and a brilliant ball found Zenjov who made no mistake in opening the scoring.
Graham Burke had an effort from 25 yards out that narrowly went over the crossbar before Rovers went further behind inside the opening hour.
The home side’s dominance was rewarded as Miller made it 2-0 as the Estonian side broke quickly, and the ball found the attacker who used neat footwork to create space to smash the ball into the net.
A huge chance for Rovers went begging as Dylan Watts went through one on one but his shot was straight at Matvei Igonen in the Flora goal.
But from the following corner, Graham Burke pulled one back for Rovers as he poked home from close range after Flora struggled to clear their lines.
Roberto Lopes made a huge error as he was dispossessed allowing Sappinen through on goal but Alan Mannus made an impressive vital save.
At the other end Burke forced a save but, on the counterattack, Flora broke forward dangerously once more and Sappinen went through on goal again but failed to hit the target by skying a great opportunity.
Rovers went further behind as Sappinen finally got on the scoresheet with a clinical finish punishing the Irish side’s lacklustre defence.
Liam Scales pulled one back with a header from a difficult angle before Miller got his second as he was allowed too much time in the box to power the ball into the net with a fine finish.
Timeline
| 28. Joey O'Brien | 37' | |
| 10. Graham Burke | 44' | |
| Rory Gaffney Aaron Greene | 55' | |
| Richie Towell Daniel Mandriou | 68' |
Ground
| A. Le Coq Arena |
|---|
| A. Le Coq Arena, 21, Jalgpalli, Kitseküla, Kesklinna linnaosa, Tallinn, Harju maakond, 11312, Estonia |
Ben Jaycock
I am a Sports Journalism & PR graduate from Staffordshire University. During my time at Final Whistle, I have covered the LOI National League, international games and the Women’s National League. Outside of Final Whistle, I am a researcher for World Rugby and a writer for The Rugby Paper.
Full time: Flora Tallinn 4-2 Shamrock Rovers
A break in play as Miller is down injured receiving treatment.
The fourth official has indicated there will be a minimum of two additional minutes.
GOAL! And just like that Flora's two-goal cushion is restored as Martin Miller is allowed too much time in the box to power the ball into the net with a fine finish.
GOAL! Shamrock Rovers pull one back through Liam Scales who heads in from a difficult angle.
Mandriou goes desperately close as he is picked out by a brilliant ball by Greene and the shot beats the keeper who is rooted to the spot but the ball hits the inside of the post.
GOAL! Rovers go further behind as a calamity of defensive errors cost them with Rauno Sappinen finally getting on the scoresheet with a clinical finish.
Joey O'Brien whips a ball into the box but Greene doesn't get the correct connection to trouble the Flora goal.
Shamrock Rovers sub: Mandriou for Towell
Shamrock Rovers break quickly and Burke has a shot on goal but is blocked.
Again Flora comfortably deal with the danger from the corner. Enthralling game though.
Corner to the visitors, looking to find an equaliser.
A small number of Shamrock Rovers have made the trip over to Estonia and are making themselves heard with chants of Ole ringing round the Le Coq Arena.
The tide has completely turned in this game as the home side are firmly on top and continue to threaten to score a third.
Burke forces a save but on the counterattack Flora break well and Sappinen is through once more but again misses the target, this time by skying a great opportunity. Unusual finishing from the in-form striker.
Roberto Lopes makes an error as he is dispossessed and allows Rauno Sappinen in one on one but Alan Mannus makes an impressive vital save.
Shamrock Rovers sub: Rory Gaffney is replaced by Aaron Greene
Rovers have a corner that is whipped in and is headed by Towell but his header sails well over the crossbar.
Promising start to the half by Rovers as Scales picks out Towell but his shot is blocked and ends up comfortably in the keepers arms.
No changes at the break and the rain continues to hammer it down here.
We're back underway.
Half time: Flora Tallinn 2-1 Shamrock Rovers
GOAL! Rovers are back in the tie as Graham Burke pokes home from close range after Flora struggled to clear their lines.
Huge chance for Rovers as Watts goes through one on one but his shot is straight at Matvei Igonen. Corner kick to follow.
Ojamaa has a shot at the end of a counter attack but thankfully for the Irish side it goes over the bar.
Sean Hoare is heard yelling at his defenders: "GET OFF YOUR HEELS" and do some defending.
Since going 2-0 up, Flora have sat back and surrendered possession and territory but they are comfortable and haven't been tested so far.
Around 1,000 fans here inside the Le Coq Arena in total and about 30 ultras behind the goal are making themselves heard.
Heavy rain is beginning to fall inside the Le Coq Arena.
GOAL! The home side\'s dominance is rewarded as Martin Miller makes it 2-0 to Flora as the Estonian side broke quickly and the ball found the attacker who used neat footwork to create space to smash the ball home.
Graham Burke has an effort from 25 yards out that narrowly goes over the crossbar. Positive signs for the visitors.
The battle in midfield seems to be comfortable for Flora as Rovers continue to struggle for creativity.
The corner comes to nothing and Flora break on the counterattack but Rovers' defence holds strong.
Rovers graft their way down the sideline and earn themselves a corner.
Flora looking very comfortable on the ball and have really frustrated the visitors thus far.
GOAL! The home side make the breakthrough as Rovers are caught playing out from the back and a brilliant ball finds Sergei Zenjov who makes no mistake.
Promising start to the match by the visitors.
At the other end, Rory Gaffney wins his side a corner.
First corner of the game goes to Flora but the Shamrock Rovers defence deals with the danger well.
We're underway.
The last time the two sides met was in August 2011 that ended in a 0-0 draw, which secured progression to the Europa League via a 1-0 aggregate win for Rovers.
The hosts come into the game off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Kuressare are in the midst of a difficult patch of form, having not picked up a win in six games in all competitions.
Flora are currently second in the Estonian Premier Division, trailing leaders Levadia by 12 points but do have three games in hand on their title rivals.
A decade ago, Shamrock Rovers became the first ever Irish side to reach the group stages of the Europa League and their journey began against the same opposition.
This evening’s game is the first of the ties two-legged affair, with Rovers going into the match full of confidence and in good form off the back of an eight-game winning streak. The league leaders overcame Albanian side Teuta in the last round of qualification, 3-0 on aggregate.
Hello and welcome to Final Whistle's coverage of tonight's Europa Conference League first leg between Flora Tallinn and Shamrock Rovers.