Wilson Waweru strike gives Bit O'Red morale-boosting victory

RTÉ News​

2 days ago

Wilson Waweru scored a crucial goal on his first start of the season for Sligo Rovers as they picked up a big three points in their bid for survival in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division with a 1-0 win over Waterford FC at the Showgrounds.
The centre-forward struck for the only goal on 20 minutes as the home side defended resolutely to get the better for the Blues for a second time in a row after winning 4-0 in the RSC before the break.
This latest victory lifts John Russell's side off the foot of the table.
Padraig Amond did have the ball in the back of the Sligo net inside two minutes after a clearance broke into his path, but after referee Oliver Moran initially awarded the goal, the flag of assistant referee Wayne McDonnell was then raised for offside.
The Blues had another good chance on ten minutes when Conan Noonan set up James Olayinka, but defender John Mahon got in a vital block before Amond flashed a left-footed effort from the top of the area sixty seconds later.
Waweru nearly scored a stunning opener for the hosts on 15 minutes. Will Fitzgerald and Reece Hutchinson combined down the left before the latter crossed for the attacker, but his spectacular overhead kick flashed wide of the far post.
Sligo were celebrating the lead goal five minutes later when Hutchinson sent the ball into the area for Jad Hakiki and after keeper Stephen McMullan diverted the ball into Waweru, he swept a left-footed close-range effort to the back of an empty net.
Noonan had a first-time volley blocked by the Sligo defence on 27 minutes before Olayinka burst into the penalty area a minute later only for his low shot to be saved by Sam Sargeant. Tommy Lonergan had a free-kick on 35 minutes comfortably saved by the former Blues netminder eight minutes later.
After a tentative opening to the second-half with both teams giving away possession of the ball, there was a big chance for the Blues on 65 minutes. Conan Noonan laid the ball off into the feet of James Olayinka just outside the area, but keeper Sam Sargeant parried the ball away inside a crowded area.
A brilliant Waterford move yielded a chance for Tommy Lonergan six minutes when he spread the ball out to the left for Kyle White to put the ball back into the centre, but the header from the centre forward was well held by Sargeant as the Blues pressed for an equaliser.
Waterford had a strong penalty appeal turned down when referee Oliver Moran judged that John Mahon didn't handle a Ryan Burke cross with replays suggesting that the centre half was very lucky to get away with the decision from the Dublin official.
A quick move down the left from the Blues on 82 minutes when Jesse Dempsey's throw sent Ben McCormack in the clear down the left before he set up Conan Noonan, but he blazed over Sargeant's crossbar.
Sligo Rovers: Sargeant; Reynolds (McDonagh 58), Mahon, Hutchinson; Hakiki (Mallon 58), Fitzgerald, Manning (Patton 6), McElroy, Doyle-Hayes; Elding, Waweru (Lomboto 79).