SOCCER EUROPA LEAGUE: KF Vllanzia 1 Sligo Rovers 1:SLIGO ROVERS' return to European football after a lapse of 13 years ended in disappointment at the Loroborici Stadium, Shkoder, Albania, last night.
Sligo enjoyed a lot of possession in the first half with Seán Doherty, Brian Cash and Cretaro causing problems for the home side. Vllaznia had chances before Richie Ryan put Brian Cash through on goal after nine minutes but the move came to nothing. Romauld Boco headed Sligo’s first real chance narrowly wide and Raffaele Cretaro went close in the 27th minute but his shot, after a long goalkick by Sligo goalkeeper Richard Brush, flew inches over the bar.
Vllaznia went ahead three minutes before half-time when Norigin Shtjuvina drilled home a long-range shot. Bekin Balaj almost made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time but a smart save by Brush rescued Paul Cooke’s side.
Sligo’s Steve Feeney missed a great chance in 80th minute but his effort flew narrowly wide. Alan Keane squared the match for Sligo with a header in the 84th minute but it came too late.
Both sides finished with 10 men. Captain Vioresin Sinani was red carded for striking in the 77th minute and Sligo captain Conor O’Grady was shown red four minutes into stoppage time after he aimed a kick at an opponent.
SLIGO ROVERS: Brush, Keane, Holmes, Feeney, Ventre, O’Grady, Cash, Ryan, Boco, Cretaro, Doherty. Subs: C Kelly for Cash (56 mins), Morrison for Doherty (65 mins).
SELECTED RESULTS: Zestafoni 6 Lisburn Distillery 0 (agg: 11-1), Linfield 0 Randers FC 3 (0-7), Llanelli 0 Motherwell 3 (1-3), The New Saints FC 1 Fram Reykjavik 2 (2-4), IBK 2 Valletta 2 (2-5).
