Sligo Rovers 2 - 0 Drogheda United

Sligo Rovers jumped to the top of the Airtricity Premier League after a 2-0 defeat of Drogheda United. Goals from Matthew Blinkhorn and Eoin Doyle gave the club from the North-West all three points, while a number of vital saves from Brendan Clarke ensured that they kept another clean sheet.

Sligo Rovers started the game with a typical spark but struggled to get anything past the Drogheda defence. Stephen Trimble was called in to action early on in the fourth minute when a Matthew Blinkhorn cross found its way in to the box. Trimble punched the ball away before Eoin Doyle could get near it.

Daniel Corcoran, Gavin Brennan and Stephen Quigley were all linking up well but struggled to cause any real danger in the Sligo box. A corner taken by Peter McMahon was caught by Brendan Clarke but he fumbled the ball and it reached the feet of Gavin Brennan but his attempted shot bounced off the leg of Gavin Peers.

The Bit O’Red flicked a switch and with that the momentum was turned up a notch. A swinging free-kick, taken by Joseph Ndo, was hit perfectly to reach Matthew Blinkhorn. The Blackpool man headed just above the top corner. Tubbercurry man Rafael Cretaro came ever so close on the 35th minute when he leaped up to meet a Joseph Ndo corner. But, his header was just over the bar.

Peter McMahon was involved in every single Drogheda move – start, finish or the middle. He gave Drogheda the last opportunity of the first half when he passed to Colin O’Brien who’s wasted effort skimmed wide. There was a bit of half-time entertainment when Sligo Rovers unveiled new their new signing – former Bohemians defender Conor Powell.

Rovers were all business in the second-half and piled the pressure on Drogs from the off-set. Richie Ryan came close with a free kick but his effort, which had beaten Stephen Trimble in the Drogheda goals, smacked off the post. The unfortunate injury to Colin O’Brien meant Drogheda were slightly depleted in defence. Sligo eventually broke the deadlock when a goal-mouth scramble finished with the ball in the net in the 59th minute. Jason McGuinness’ header was knocked off the line but Matthew Blinkhorn got his head to it.

Brendan Clarke had very little to do all throughout the game but pulled off a fantastic save in the 65th minute. A mix-up between Gavin Peers and Jason McGuinness left Gavin Brennan free just outside the penalty box. Clarke was the only one in the way of a Drogheda equaliser but he put his body in the way preventing the goal. Drogheda were not down and out just yet and Brendan Clarke was forced in to action once again when Daniel Corcoran was left free and headed straight at the former St. Pats man from six yards out.

Sligo Rovers’ lead was doubled in the 79th minute when Eoin Doyle smashed the ball in to the net. Drogheda failed to clear a Joseph Ndo corner and Doyle was able to take advantage. Despite the score line, Mick Cooke’s side put up a fantastic fight and certainly did not look like a team battling relegation.

Sligo Rovers: Brendan Clarke; Alan Keane, Gavin Peers, Jason McGuinness, Aaron Greene; Alan Kirby (John Russell, 69), Joseph Ndo, Richie Ryan, Rafael Cretaro (John Dillon, 67); Eoin Doyle, Matthew Blinkhorn (Iarfhlaith Davoren, 78).
Subs not used : Ciaran Kelly, Derek Foran, Danny Ventre, Mark McGoldrick.
Bookings: None

Drogheda United: Stephen Trimble; Stephen Quigley, Dave Rogers, Alan Mc Nally, Philip Hand; Colin O'Brien (Robbie Gaul, 55), Mark O'Brien (David Freeman, 84), Peter Mc Mahon, Gavin Brennan (Cillian Thompson, 74); Daniel Corcoran.

Subs not used: Aaron Shanahan, Victor Ekanem, Robbie Clarke.
Bookings: McMahon (27).
 

Referee: Paul Tuite
Attendance: 1,970
extratime.ie Man of the Match : Joseph Ndo (Sligo Rovers).