Friendly Report: Sligo Rovers 1 - 0 Athlone Town
Credit:
Sligo Rovers had their last pre season friendly against Athlone Town in a stormy Showgrounds on Saturday night with Morten Nielsen scoring the only goal of the game for the home side.
Rovers started off strongly when, after two minutes, Danny Ledwith shot from the left – but the wind carried it well right of Shane Curran's net.
Athlone had their first attempt on goal just after six minutes when Marco Chindea tried to get a low shot past Ryan Coulter's near post but the Bit o' Red ‘keeper was aware of the danger and smothered the ball.
Nielsen got on the score sheet six minutes later when a well placed cross from Steven Beattie found his teammate who was free in the box and the ball sailed into the net for the home side.
Athlone did have two other chances in the half but an attack led by Daniel Purdy and a shot by Garbhan Coughlan failed to find the mark for the visitors.
Weather conditions didn't improve after half-time and it took thirteen minutes for the first real chance of the half to come when Eoin Wearen crossed the ball to Gary Armstrong but he was unable to complete his chance at the back post.
From then on there were no real chances for either side, mainly due to the adverse weather conditions, and the game ended 1–0 for Rovers.
The SSE Airtricity League returns to the Showgrounds next Saturday as Sligo Rovers take on Cork City (kick-off 7.45pm) while Athlone's next game sees them clash with Waterford United at the Regional Sports Centre – and extratime.ie will keep you up to date with all the Premier and First Division action as it happens.
Sligo Rovers: Ryan Coulter (Richard Brush 46): Danny Ledwith (Alan Keane 46), Gary Boylan, Gary Armstrong, Jeff Henderson; Stephen Folan (Jake Dykes 46) Ryan McManus, Steven Beattie, John Russell (Keith Ward 46), Morten Nielsen (Dinny Corcoran 46); Raffaele Cretaro (Eoin Wearen 46).
Subs not used: Gavin Peers.
Athlone Town: Shane Curran; Ryan Doolin, Philip Hand, Stephen Dunne, Aiden Collins; Thomas Mulroney, Daniel Purdy, Gavin Boyne, Garbhan Coughlan; Eric Foley, Marco Chindea.
Subs not used: Paddy Dunican (gk), Adam Kelly, Garreth Brady, Michael Brown, Gary Burke, Anto Hewitt.
Referee:
Attendance:
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Morten Nielsen (Sligo Rovers).
