Ramblers look for another win to avoid re-election
Sligo Rovers will be hoping to put distance between themselves and the bottom teams in the first division when they take on Cobh Ramblers at St Colman's Park tonight.
Still searching for their first league win of 2002, Rovers have slipped into the lower regions of the table, having failed to beat strugglers, Limerick and Athlone Town in recent weeks.
And defeat to Ramblers this week-end would leave them just three points off the bottom of the table. It's a scenario few could have envisaged just a few short months ago as Rovers kept pace with the front runners in the division.
However, a return of just one point from a possible eighteen since the turn of the year has seen the side plunge from promotion contenders to the basement zone.
Indeed, Rovers haven't won a league match since beating Ramblers at the Showgrounds on December 22nd when goals by Jason Moran and Raffaele Cretaro helped them to a 2-1 victory.
Last week's draw with Athlone at the Showgrounds brought a six match losing sequence to an end but, even then, it took a late, late equaliser from substitute, Barry Moran, to salvage a share of the spoils.
Like Rovers, Ramblers have been in poor form of late, although a 1-0 win over League Cup finalists, Limerick, last week-end should do their confidence a power of good.
And no doubt the Cork side will also be encouraged by the fact that they've already beaten Rovers 3-0 on two occasions this season.
Rovers, however, are capable of turning the tables and manager, Don O'Riordan, will be hoping his young side can build on the positive aspects of last week's display against Athlone.
Although it wasn't a classic performance, Rovers showed a lot of desire and conviction, particularly in the second half, and the manager will be calling for more of the same this week-end.
After this week-end's game in Cobh, Rovers will have three games remaining in the season and they could yet have a big say in what teams are promoted.
They are at home to promotion chasing Finn Harps next Tuesday night (kick off 7.30pm) and to Drogheda United on the closing day of the league on Sunday, March 31st, with an afternoon kick off. In between, they are away to another of the promotion contenders, Waterford United, on March 15th.
With the prospect of three big games on the run-in to the season, Rovers should not lack motivation over the coming weeks and a good result in Cobh would be just the tonic to set them up for an exciting climax to the campaign.
Next Tuesday's showdown with Harps at the Showgrounds should attract a bumper crowd. North West derby games are always a bit special and the latest instalment should be no exception, particularly as the points on offer are of such importance to the Donegal club.
© Sligo Champion
Kick off: Saint Colman's Park, Saturday, 8:00.
Referee: Mark Gough (Luimneach).
