Rovers look to extend lead against Bohs

Added: 02-09-2012

Sligo Rovers meet Bohemians in The Showgrounds in the Airtricity Premier Division on Monday night, kick-off 8pm.

The Bit o’ Red have been out of action in the league since 24 August as they secured a 0-0 draw with St Patrick’s Athletic.

Rovers lead by six points in the table going into the game with Bohs, a fixture that has proven extremely close in meetings so far this year.

Lee Lynch struck a late winner for Rovers in the first clash back in March, while a 0-0 draw in Dalymount Park was also equally fought in the summer.

A large crowd is expected for the first of five matches in The Showgrounds in the final stages of the season.

Rovers will be without Danny North and Iarfhlaith Davoren due to injury, while Ross Gaynor is suspended.

North underwent surgery on his cruciate ligament injury on Friday and is now beginning his recovery with a view to a return at the start of next season.

Manager Ian Baraclough said: “We spent the early part of the week on togetherness and getting away from football because it was a long wait for another game and it was important to vary things. It was a good build-up, we put a lot of focus on the game in the last few days and we’re ready for Monday night now in a big test against Bohemians.

“Ross is absent this week. It is something we’ve been anticipating for a while when he was on three yellow cards so we’ll have to make some slight adjustments to the team. We’ve prepared for that and we have players that can fill in, players that have been waiting for a chance and I’m sure they will look to show what they can do.

“Apart from the games against each other, we look at it that we expect our rivals to win all their matches from here to the end of the season. We have to make it happen for ourselves, keep our good home record going and keep winning games.

“Friday’s results showed that and reminds us of what we have to do. There are five home games in the eight matches left this year and we have to make them count. It is expected we’ll see a big crowd on Monday night that will try to help us in every part of it.”

Baraclough believes Bohs have improved throughout the season as they chase a top five finish under Aaron Callaghan. The Rovers boss revealed that Bohs were one of the first sides he watched when coming into the league with the club in March and it left an impression with him.

“It was the second week of the season and I went to Dalymount to see them play Shelbourne. They have steadily got better as the season has gone on and you could even see then that Aaron was making the group of players he assembled extremely competitive and well-drilled. The game in Dalymount was very difficult for us and we were pleased to get a draw that night. We’re not under any illusions about what we're facing.”