Lomboto’s backheel goal seals win for Sligo Rovers
OPENING GOAL: Jad Hakiki scored the opening goal for Sligo Rovers in their win over Galway United. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
STRUGGLING Sligo Rovers secured a precious win - only their fifth of the season - when they beat provincial rivals Galway United 2-1 at The Showgrounds.
Substitute Francely Lomboto’s brilliant backheel goal after 73 minutes proved the difference in a thrill-a-minute fixture that saw second-half red cards for Sligo defender John Mahon and Galway goalscorer Moses Dyer.
Sligo’s other scorer was Jad Hakiki as the Bit O’Red extended their advantage over bottom of the table Cork City to four points.
For what was the third Connacht cruncher of the season, with one win apiece, both sides had contrasting fortunes in recent games.
Sligo, who have been either bottom of the table or second from bottom for weeks, lost 1-0 away to Drogheda United the previous Friday - on the same night Galway recorded an impressive 3-1 home defeat of St Patrick’s Athletic.
Galway, seventh in the standings coming into this fixture, had the game’s first significant opportunity when Patrick Hickey’s close-range shot was brilliantly kept out by Sam Sargeant, who then tipped over Cian Byrne’s fiercely-struck free-kick.
Sligo finally made inroads in the 19th minute when Will Fitzgerald’s persistence led to blocked shots from Wilson Waweru and Jad Hakiki.
Winger Fitzgerald, who was becoming increasingly influential, unleashed a shot that was straight at Galway netminder Evan Watts.
In the 43rd minute a chaotic sequence in the Sligo goalmouth saw Galway go desperately close to taking the lead - Sam Sargeant made three saves and there were also two goal-line clearances.
Just over a minute later Sligo hit the front when the lively Jad Hakiki netted with an assured finish from Owen Elding’s pass.
Hakiki had another chance when he surged through the centre but this time his low effort was gathered by Evan Watts.
Gritty Galway were level just two minutes into the second-half when top scorer Moses Dyer netted his 10th goal of the campaign with a header from Cian Byrne’s free-kick delivery.
Things suddenly boiled over in the 53rd minute when Sligo defender John Mahon and Galway goalscorer Moses Dyer were each red-carded following an altercation between the two.
Sligo threatened again through a Jad Hakiki shot and then a header from substitute Francely Lomboto - following a corner - as Evan Watts’ save kept Galway in the game.
Lomboto’s goalbound shot came off the upright and he was in the right place to score with a deft backheel to restore Sligo’s lead in the 73rd minute.
Wil Fitzgerald cracked a shot on target as Sligo, who were now in control, sought to extend their lead in the closing stages.
Galway, however, almost equalised in the 86th minute but Patrick Hickey’s header was cleared off the goal-line by Sligo substitute Ollie Denham.
Unlucky Galway twice hit the woodwork in stoppage-time as relieved Sligo just about held on.
Sergeant; McDonagh (van Hattum 64), Mahon, Reynolds (Mallon 85), Hutchinson; Doyle-Hayes, Wolfe (Denham 64); Elding, Hakiki (Patton 85), Fitzgerald; Waweru (Lomboto 64)
: Watts; Esua, Slevin, Buckley, Cunningham (Burns 46); Byrne (Walsh 83), Borden (McCormack 46); Hurley (Brouder 74), Hickey, McCarthy (Shaw 74); Dyer
Neil Doyle
