SETANTA CUP: Sligo Rovers 5-0 Crusaders

Sligo Rovers are into the semi-finals of the Setanta Sports Cup following a comprehensive 5-0 victory in the Showgrounds, finishing 9-1 on aggregate.

Evan McMillan, Danny North (2), Ross Gaynor and Liam Flatley were all on the mark to secure a result that never looked in doubt.

Despite an encouraging start from the visitors, it didn’t take long for Rovers to open the scoring through Evan McMillan who, after initially hitting the crossbar, made no mistake with a header beyond the reach of Yohann Lacroix.

Paul O’Conor came close to doubling the lead on two occasions in quick succession, but could not find the target on either occasion.

Danny North opened his account for the season just a minute after O’Conor’s second chance and he probably won’t score an easier goal this season.

What looked a straight forward clearance quickly turned into calamity for Lacroix as the ball bobbled over his leg and unfortunately for him the clinical North was alert to the error as he ran onto the ball and tapped it into an empty net.

North bagged his second of the game less than ten minutes later when he latched onto a blocked effort and tapped home once again.

Rovers were gifted a chance to go into the half-time break with a 4-0 lead when they were awarded a penalty following a handball, but Lacroix atoned for his earlier error with a superb save to deny Gaynor.

The home side continued their dominance of the game in the second period but they had to wait until the hour mark before they had their first chance of half and Gaynor duly put it away, making up for his penalty miss with a stunning free-kick from 25 yards.

Young debutant Liam Flatley was introduced for the final half hour and he topped off an impressive first outing with a goal, combining with Danny North to score a well placed finish into the bottom corner.

Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush; Seamus Conneely, Evan McMillan, Kalen Spillane (Danny Ledwith 76), Jake Dykes; David Cawley, Paul O’Conor, Raffaele Cretaro (Liam Flatley 60), Ross Gaynor; Sean Maguire (Kieran Djilali 60), Danny North.
Subs not used: Gary Rogers, John Russell, Aaron Greene, Eric Odhiambo.

Crusaders: Yohann LaCroix (Sean O’Neill 46); Matthew King, Joshua Robinson, Lee Williamson, Matthew Hanley; Richard Clarke, Chris Morrow, Aiden Watson (Michael O’Hanlon 60), Eamon McAllister, David McAllister (Paul Heatley 71); Jordan Owens.
Subs not used: David McMaster, Andy Smith, Kyle Dillon, Curtis Dempster.

Referee: Arnold Hunter

Attendance: 1,500 (estimate)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Kalen Spillane (Sligo Rovers).