MOTHERWELL left themselves it all to do in Sligo to keep their Europa Conference League hopes alive after a narrow defeat in a fierce first-leg in Lanarkshire.
Graham Alexander’s side were welcomed to the pitch with an impressive full-stand display inside Fir Park hailing the Motherwell side as “eleven stalwart warriors” – unfortunately for the expectant crowd inside the stadium, Sligo Rovers were more than up for the battle themselves.
The hosts were sent out with a clear goal, to turn the Bit O’ Red black and blue in a slobberknocker of a contest before the return leg in Ireland. But in the end it was Motherwell left bloodied albeit their opposition not landing a knockout blow.
It was one moment of indecision, a slip in concentration from Bevis Mugabi which allowed Sligo Rovers a moment to strike. The visitors didn’t waste it.
Towering defender Mugabi allowed a long ball to bounce before a dreadful slack headed back-pass allowed Aidan Keena to lob over the stranded Liam Kelly.
Fortunately for Alexander’s men it wouldn’t get any worse, however, they’d be denied a leveller in a tough night back on the European stage.
Reflecting on the match, Alexander commented: “Frustration, that we didn’t win the game, I felt we done more than enough to win the game.
“The goal speaks for itself, it’s an obvious mistake but an honest one.
“We created enough chances to win the game, but we didn’t take them. But it’s half-time in the tie and we’re still there to try and win.
“You can’t say the team didn’t try their best to win that game of football.
“I don’t think we got what we deserved tonight, but we’re realists, they scored one more than us and they go into the second leg with a lead.”
Asked for his message to supporters after his side were booed at the end of the match, the Fir Park boss simply stated: “Keep believing.”
It was an electric start to proceedings in Lanarkshire with both sides going close in the opening 90 seconds. William Fitzgerald sent a close range effort just over the bar with half-a-minute on the clock before Josh Morris saw his powerful strike slam into the side netting before two minutes had been played.
Sligo Rovers – who sit fifth in the SSE Airtricity League – would again go close on nine minutes as Garry Buckley crossed for Lewis Banks who bundled towards goal but he was denied by a superb Liam Kelly sprawling stop.
Motherwell would again respond with an effort of their own but Luke McNicholas was comfortable to save Kevin Van Veen’s header.
If the first sighter was difficult for Van Veen, he handed given a major chance after 22 minutes. The striker latched onto a loose Patrick Kirk pass to drive into the box and square for Morris, but the ball was too heavy and the opportunity fizzled out.
While the hosts passed up a gift of a chance, Sligo weren’t so forgiving as Keena finished with a delightful lobbed finish after Bevis Mugabi’s dire headed backpass.
On the stroke of half-time Motherwell were again afforded time in the Sligo box, but once more couldn’t capitalise. Creative force Morris fired across goal where Connor Shields throw himself at the ball but could only divert wide.
Morris and Callum Slattery would go close in the second-half with long-range efforts but neither could get the beating of the impressive McNicholas who excelled in the Sligo goal. Sub Ross Tierney would also try his luck but could only find the side netting.
For all Motherwell’s dominance in a desperate attempt to go into the second-leg on even terms, it would be Sligo who would nearly double their lead in the closing stages.
Substitute Max Mata burst into the box before losing his bearings and allowing the chance to pass him by. And six minutes from time Mata was free at the backpost to head at goal only to be denied by Jake Carroll on the goal line. Sligo were adamant it was a handball but referee Kari Joannesarson a Hovdanum waved play on to set-up a tasty second-leg at the Showgrounds.
