Sligo reap just deserts

NEW LOOK Sligo Rovers battled their way to a deserved share of the spoils against Dutch side Heerenveen in the opening match of the InterToto Cup at the Showgrounds on, Saturday evening.

Sligo introduced new recruits Scott Blair, Mark Hutchinson, Lee Thew and Dale Hawtin to their starting line up, but it was long serving goalkeeper Nick Broujos, who stole the honours with an outstanding display.

Broujos was recalled to the side for the first time in several months and he staked his claim for a regular spot with a string of superb saves which denied the Dutchmen.

Heerenveen made all of the running right from the Start, but time and time again they were kept at bay by the agile Broujos.

The Sligo goalkeeper was in the action as early as the seventh minute when he saved at point blank range from Johan Haasman. Then, after 26 minutes, Broujos produced another flying save to turn away a scorching drive from Romeo Wouden at the end of a sparkling six man move.

The second half continued in a similar pattern with Broujos again the busiest player on the pitch, saving spectacularly on two occasions from Igor Korniev.

Sligo enjoyed their best spell in the closing stages and Heerenveen were relieved to see a powerful downward header from Ian Gilzean in the 80th minute fly pass the upright.

Then, in injury time, Dutch keeper Hans Vonk was called on to produce a flying finger tip save to keep out Gilzean's curling shot from the edge of the area.