Report: Sligo Rovers 3 - 1 Cobh Ramblers

Sligo Rovers got their first win of the new season last night when they defeated a spirited Cobh side by three goals to one. The Bit o Red didnt have it all their own way and were in fact a goal down after just two minutes.

Cobh got off to the perfect start and took the lead with just two minutes on the clock when they won a free kick thirty yards from goal. Alan Kearney took it short, played a quick one-two with Davin ONeill, and sent in a dangerous cross from the byline. Centre back Kevin Murray rose highest and placed his header into the top corner. Goalkeeper Richard Brush should have perhaps left his line and collected the cross.

Five minutes later Danny Ventre had a shot go well wide but on their next attack Sligo equalised. The ball fell to Brian Cash in the box but Murray threw himself in front of the ex Derry winger's shot and the ball flew out for a corner kick. Cash sent in the corner and Mauro Almeida got in first at the front post to head the ball home. The former Accrington and Swindon defender had a goal ruled out against Bohemians recently but on this occasion referee Doyle gave the all clear.

It was another corner that lead to the home side taking the lead midway through the half. Conor OGrady picked up the half cleared corner and fed Romo Boco. Boco sent in a teasing cross from the left and Ventre was on hand to score the third headed goal of the tie.

Gavin Peers picked up a knock to the head on the half way line when trying to sniff out a potential Cobh counter-attack. He immediately hit the ground clutching his head but even though the referee was only a few yards away he decided to let play continue. Cobh progressed towards the home goal and with Peers out of position left back Chris Butler had to move into the centre to help clear the danger. He bravely headed clear and got a kick to the head for his troubles. The referee this time blew up for a foul but not before Conor OGrady and Graham Cummins squared up to each other and had a quick push and shove.

Towards the end of the half Danny Ventre had another shot off target. Seamus Colemans forays forward werent as frequent as they have been of late but he still managed to get off a weak left footed shot from the edge of the box. Cobh again tried to quickly counter attack and Davin ONeill looked to profit on the left with Coleman out of position. Midfielder OGrady sensed the danger, chased back, and retrieved possession with a well timed tackle.

Graham Cummins continued to need the close attention of the Rovers rearguard. In the first half he repeatedly collected the ball with his back to goal but early in the second half he nearly got on the end of a ball over the top. Brush gave Peers a call to let him deal with it but Cummins didnt give up the chase. Luckily for the Sligo keeper he collected just in time and managed to keep a hold of the ball despite the challenge from the frustrated front man.

Substitute Murphy was dispossessed outside the box by Michael Mulcorny and then with his eagerness to win the ball back committed a foul. Alan Kearney, who presided over all of Cobhs previous dead ball situations, was again in charge, and his curling shot needed Brush to be at his best when he tipped it over the top and out for a corner

Cummins was again in the thick of it midway through the half. Mulcorny did well on the right and picked out Cummins at the back post. Brush again came to the rescue and produced a fine save low down to his right.

So far the second half was nearly all about Cobh looking for an equaliser and Sligo getting everyone behind the ball and hoping to catch their opponents short at the back. This tactic nearly paid dividends when the excellent O'Grady broke up another Cobh attack and released substitute Judge. Judge, yet to score in the league this season, picked out Coleman and the young full back beat his man with ease before firing in a cross come shot. O'Grady did well to get up and support but the cross was cut out and cleared for a corner.

Cobh continued to press for an equaliser and the Sligo defence dropped deeper and deeper back towards their goal. Last years First Division champions thought they were in when Brush flapped hopelessly at a corner - nobody reacted quick enough though. Despite being in the lead it was clear Sligo wanted more goals - on two of their attacks forward they left just two defenders back marking the two Cobh strikers.

Sligo put the result beyond doubt when Boco broke and weaved his way into the box on Sligos right hand side. The ball then fell kindly for him and he turned neatly in the box and fired into the roof of the net.

The three minutes of added on time proved to be eventful. First Murray had a header go just over the bar and then at the other end Judges quick feet made room but his delicate well placed shot was tipped over by McCarthy.

Sligo were good value for the win but Cobh's defending let them down badly. It was a solid professional performance by Paul Cook's side and a game that were it last year it they would have probably lost. They defended well when it was needed and took their chances in front of goal.

Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush; Seamus Coleman, Gavin Peers, Mauro Almeida (Jamie McKenzie 67), Chris Butler (Anto Murphy 45); Romauld Boco, Conor O'Grady, Danny Ventre, Brian Cash; Steve Feeney (Matthew Judge 59), Rafael Cretaro.
Subs not used: Alan Moore, Pat Jennings.

Cobh Ramblers: James McCarthy; Steven Mulcahy, Kevin Murray, Declan Cahill, John Meade; Shane Barrett, Alan Kearney, John Kearney (Gareth Cambridge 65), Michael Mulconry (Ray Lally 79); Davin O'Neill, Graham Cummins.
Subs not used: Alan King, Conor Meade, Jamie Wunsch.

Referee: Neil Doyle.

Attendance: 1,400.