Ellis Chapman ends Sligo Rovers’ winless run as St Pats’ away day blues continue
Sligo Rovers 1 St Patrick’s Athletic 0
Ellis Chapman scored Sligo Rovers' winner against St Pat's
Sligo Rovers picked up a first win in seven games as Ellis Chapman scored a fourth of the season to beat St Patrick's Athletic at The Showgrounds.
Pats' woes away from home continue, as they were beaten by a steely and gutsy Sligo.
With just one win at home this season, Sligo came into this evening's tie desperate for a win to try and turn around their recent run of form.
John Russell's side came into this game with no win in their last six, losing to Waterford at home on Friday night.
Jon Daly's side, however, had picked up just one win on the road this campaign, prior to travelling to Sligo on Monday.
The Inchicore side were well on top early on, and were wondering how they weren't leading after 15 minutes as Brandon Kavanagh's deliveries were causing the home side a lot of problems defensively.
The 23-year-old's ball into the box was flicked over by Ruairi Keating, before Kavanagh clipped a free-kick into the box with Conor Keeley's glancing header just centimetres over the bar.
The home side weren't getting too close to Danny Rogers in those opening stages, but as the game settled, the trio of Max Mata, Ellis Chapman and Stefan Radosavljevic were linking up well in front of goal.
RB Leipzig loanee Fabrice Hartmann robbed Kavanagh of possession on 23 minutes, teeing up Chapman who struck from distance to put the Bit O'Red ahead with his fourth goal of the season.
Forrester almost connected with Kavanagh's ball after the restart, but McGinty stood tall to make the save.
Niall Morahan then denied Kian Leavy late on with a fine tackle, as the hosts dealt brilliantly with everything thrown their way as Pats gave it everything to try and find an equaliser.
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Conor Reynolds (Kailin Barlow 68), Charlie Wiggett, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Ellis Chapman, Connor Malley; Fabrice Hartmann (Owen Elding 57), Stefan Radosavljevic (Wilson Waweru 84); Max Mata (Rein Smit 68).
St Patrick's Athletic: Danny Rogers; Kieran Freeman, Conor Keeley, Luke Turner, Anto Breslin; Jamie Lennon; Chris Forrester, Brandon Kavanagh (Romal Palmer 68); Jake Mulraney (Kian Leavy 73), Alex Nolan (Mason Melia 68), Ruairi Keating.
Referee: David Dunne.
