Almeida strike seals derby win

A Mauro Almeida header gave Sligo Rovers all three points against rivals Finn Harps in Ballybofey on Friday night. It extends the Bit O’ Red’s unbeaten run in the league to five matches.

A Mauro Almeida header gave Sligo Rovers all three points against rivals Finn Harps in Ballybofey on Friday night. It extends the Bit O’ Red’s unbeaten run in the league to five matches.

Rovers started the game well and dominated throughout  with Finn Harps rarely threatening. The goal was another well worked set-piece by Rovers who has been a feature of the good recent run. Fahrudin Kudozovic, who returned to the starting line up with an assured display, swung in a corner the unmarked Almeida headed home unmarked and into the corner of the net. It capped a fine performance by the Portugese who is quickly becoming a fans favourite.

It proved to be the decisive goal but Rovers should have won by a more convincing margin. They were superior in every department. But once again a clean sheet proved crucial. The impressive backline kept Finn Harps at bay and although Harps hit the woodwork in the second half Richard Brush was rarely troubled.

Paul Cook’s side thought they had scored a second on 43 minutes but Danny Ventre’s “goal” was ruled out with the referee ruling that the Finn Harps goalkeeper had the ball in his grasp.

Harps pressed in the closing few minutes but Rovers held out for the win, the cue for the hundreds of supporters on the gantry side of Finn Park to celebrate. The win puts us on 12 points for the season and in the top half of the Premier Division.

By Rory Houston