Sligo Rovers -v- Drogheda United

• Christopher Davey
• Fri, Mar 25 2011


Sligo Rovers will host Drogheda United in the Showgrounds this Friday night (7.45pm) in a fixture that they hope will kickstart their season just as it did last season when they beat the Boynesiders 7-0 in a fixture that was followed by Alan Mathews resignation.

Indeed, it may be safe to assume that the Bit O'Red are comfortable favourites for this game. Although they haven't come near to achieving their top form which we now they are capable of.

Previous to this tie, the Boynesiders have only picked up one point in this season's campaign and this came last week against newly promoted Derry City, whereas Rovers have come up with a win, a loss and a draw from their previous three games. Both sides realistically would have been hoping for more from their games and certainly with only three scored between both sides in six games, both managers will be hoping to improve that statistic. Indeed if you were go follow these sides lack of goalscoring into the betting market, under 2.5 goals is 4/5 with paddypower.com.

Rovers will be without the influential and flamboyant Joseph Ndo, as his recovery from deep bruising in his foot continues, while former Salthill Devon winger Daryl Horgan is also missing through commitments to the national Under-19 squad. For Drogheda, Alan McNally is a doubt after picking up a knock in training.

Speaking to press ahead of the game, newly instated Drogheda manager Mick Cooke is under no illusions as to the task that awaits him in the Showgrounds. "Going to Sligo (Rovers) is never easy, they are arguably one of the best sides in the division right now. However we are capable of getting a result." stated Cooke.

He continued his optimism however, taking faith from his sides performance last week in Hunky Dorys Park by saying "Coming from two goals down in the manner which we did against Derry has put a lot of confidence into the squad. We didn't just revert to the long ball when we went behind, we played well and fought our way back in." Whether he will try and play Rovers at their own short passing game remains to be seen.

With Rovers in need of three points to pull the choke and get their season going, they will eye this fixture as the ideal opportunity to do so. If this side have any ambitions of challenging Shamrock Rovers to the title, winning games like this is a must. However, they have looked poor so far this year with the absences of Gary McCabe, Romauld Boco and Joseph Ndo disrupting their usual style of play.

Rovers have looked devoid of ideas, and have often resorted to the long-ball to Matthew Blinkhorn to create their chances. This has obviously proved fruitless for the Bit O'Red, as their only goal of the campaign has come from the one passage of play which came anywhere close to resembling the football form last season.

Sligo Rovers
Injured: Joseph Ndo (bruising).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Unavailable: Daryl Horgan (Under 19 international duty)

Drogheda United
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Alan McNally
Suspended: None.
Unavailable: None.

Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin)

Paddy Power Odds: Rovers 1/3 - Draw 10/3 - Drogheda 9/1.

Extratime prediction: A 2-0 win for Rovers.