Video
Details
Date | Time | League | Season |
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21 July 2022 | 7:45 pm | UEFA Conference League | 2022/23 |
Match Report
King Keena helps Sligo beat Motherwell in Europe
Aidan Keena proved to be the match winner, as Sligo Rovers took a huge one-goal margin back to the west, after a sensational performance in Scotland this evening.
It takes guts and determination to survive in Europe competitions. Sligo have shown both to date, and taking on a well-versed Motherwell team, they produced a masterclass ahead of their second leg.
Keena back to scoring on Scottish soil once more following numerous spells in the country, his poachers' instinct aiding the Bit O’Red again this evening, a big game next weekend to come.
Neither team dominated from the off as chances came at both ends, Will Fitzgerald flashed a shot just wide of the goal in the opening seconds, while Josh Morris forced Luke McNicholas into a stop just seconds later.
Sligo should have taken the lead in the ninth minute, Lewis Banks reacting well to a loose ball in the area, his shot from close range was somehow held onto by Liam Kelly, the Scottish showstopper expertly keeping it level.
The visitors were searching for their goal and managed to get their breakthrough from a huge error by Bevis Mugabi, the defender looking to head back a long through ball back to his keeper, he fluffed the pass and Aidan Keena stole possession and looped a chip shot over the onrushing keeper for a 1-0 lead, with 28 minutes on the clock.
Rovers remained on top for a lot of the opening half, McNicholas having a stellar performance in the opening half, looking to be the new number one as Ed McGinty departed for Oxford, two fine stops late in the half ensured they remained on top at the interval.
Just four minutes after the restart McNicholas was brave to deny Kevin Van Veen from a 1v1, the Sligo stopper diving to the ground to keep the minnows ahead in this crucial tie, their backline including Garry Buckley deployed as a makeshift centre back doing well to snuff out the danger.
Ross Tierney looked dangerous after coming off the bench, the ex Bohs man looking to score against the Irish outfit, the ball fell to him in the 70th minute and a glorious chance saw him strike the side netting.
McNicholas was again tested from all angles by the steelmen, Max Mata had a great chance just off the bench to make it 2-0, he was set clear but failed to set himself right, a huge mistake from the New Zealand international as it looked a certain goal scoring opportunity.
Late calls for a Sligo penalty as Mata had a header strike the arm of Motherwell defender Luke Carroll on route to goal, but the referee saw nothing and waved the protests away, it was the hands of McNicholas that kept Sligo ahead late on another great stop, ensured their advantage will give them hope in Sligo next week.
Timeline
3. Jake Carroll | 7' | |
14' | 4. Shane Blaney | |
28' | 9. Aidan Keena | |
6. Barry Maguire | 66' | |
Blair Spittal Joseph Efford | 74' | |
75' | 2. Lewis Banks | |
77' | Adam McDonnell Max Mata |
Ground
Fir Park |
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Fir Park, Edward Street, Knowetop, Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, ML1 2QN, United Kingdom |
Full Time at Fir Stadium as Sligo Rovers take a 1-0 win back to the Showgrounds next week
Five minutes of added time in Fir Stadium
Luke McNicholas with another fine stop
Huge calls for a penalty late in this tie as Mata has a header strike the arm of Carroll
Only on the field a matter of seconds, he has a huge chance but fails to get the ball out of his feet to hit the target
Max Mata makes his way onto the field to replace Adam McDonnell
Lewis Banks booked for time wasting
Barry Maguire is carded after hacking down Keena
Ross Tierney is on the field to replace Chris Shields
McGinty who?, Luke McNicholas on hand to save 1 v1 as he does well to save and clear the danger
Second half kicks off huge 45 minutes to come for Sligo
Half Time in Scotland, Aidan Keena is the difference as Sligo lead 1-0 at the break
A brilliant chance for the hosts on the stroke of half time, Conor Shields in the area but his effort goes wide
McNicholas sharp to deny the hosts as the pressure continues to mount from their attack
Bevis Mugabi makes a huge error in defence with a short pass back to his keeper, Keena intercepted and chipped the on-rushing goalkeeper Liam Kelly
Shane Blaney the next player to go into the book
Sligo should be ahead as Banks has a shot from close range, Kelly does so well to deny them what an amazing stop
Jake Carroll is shown a yellow for a rash tackle as Sligo mount a counterattack
Luke McNicholas tested early bats the ball out for a corner
Less than a minute in and a half chance for Will Fitzgerald as he flashes a shot just wide
Kick off in Fir Park, the pitch looks excellent
Just five minutes to kick off in Scotland this evening, atmosphere building
No place in the starting line-up for Ross Tierney this evening, he is named on the Motherwell bench, good news for them is that Kevin Van Veen has been passed fit to start
Ed McGinty has departed the Bit O Red, Luke McNicholas back between the sticks following on from his exploits last season, Adam McDonnell, Garry Buckley and Karl O'Sullivan all come back into their team
Sligo Rovers bid to remain in Europe but a tough away first leg against Motherwell is easier said than done, expected to be a great contest at Fir Park, my name is Diarmuid Kearney, and I will update you this evening