Friendly Report: Sligo Rovers 1 - 2 Liverpool U21

You can see John Doyle's pictures from the game by clicking here.

Sligo Rovers suffered defeat at the hands of Liverpool U-21s in their first pre-season friendly thanks to goals from Adam Philips and Will March either side of half time.

It was a first opportunity for Sligo fans to see some of the 12 new players signed in the off-season.

The Bit o' Red kicked off the first half but it was Liverpool's Jerome Sinclair who had the first opportunity as his break in to the box was cut out by captain-for-the-night Tim Clancy.

This break spurred Sligo on and Kieran Sadier proved to be a constant thorn in the Liverpool side.

His break on 17 minutes caused panic in the Liverpool defence, and four minutes later Sadlier played Liam Martin in to box but Liverpool dedender Tom Brewitt cleared the danger.

Liverpool took the lead on 32 minutes when midfielder Adam Philips collected a Brooke Lennon pass and slotted the ball past a helpless Michael Schlingermann.

This spurred on Sligo and Kieran Sadlier again caused havoc in the Liverpool box as he beat Kris Polgar.

Shortly before half time Craig Rodden played a cross field pass which found Liam Martin in space but he couldn’t get a shot off.

Liverpool stepped up their performance im the second half and came out fighting. Schlingermann had to be at his very best to keep out a Sam Hart shot after 58 minutes.

Sligo were awarded a penalty against the run of play when Joe Maguire handled the ball in the box. Jimmy Keohane stepped up and duly dispatched, beating Andy Firth easily.

The score didn’t stay level for long as Will March slotted the ball past Kieran Nugent after the Sligo goalkeeper had parried the ball back in to the box.

Sligo tried to find an equaliser as both Gary Armstrong and Raffaele Cretaro both had good chances to level things up as the game came to an end.

Club stalwart Alan Keane came on to make his last ever appearance in a Sligo Rovers jersey to a standing ovation from the crowd. As he left the pitch, both sets of players gave him a guard of honor.

Sligo Rovers: Michael Schlingermann (Kieran Nugent 63), Regan Donelon, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling (Gary Boylan 63), Mick Leahy (Alan Keane 85), Tim Clancy (C) (Jeff Henderson 63), Micky Place (Gary Armstrong 63), Liam Martin (Raffaele Cretaro 63), Craig Rodden, Jordan Richards, Jimmy Keohane, Kieran Saddlier (Chris Lyons 63).

Subs Not Used: Paul Doyle, Jason Hunt, Ross Taheny, Oisin Connolly.

Liverpool U-21s: Andy Firth (Caoimhim Kelleher 90), Kris Polgar, Sam Hart (Ryan Kent), Tom Brewitt, Joe Maguire, Matt Virtuee, Adam Philips, Alex O Hanlon (Madger Gomis 46), Jerome Sinclair (Toni Gomis 46), Ovie Ejaria (Ryan Mc Loughlin 67), Brooke Lennon (Paulo Alves 67).

Subs Not Used: None.

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Adam Philips (Liverpool)