Sligo Rovers 7 - 1 Galway United
Credit:
A delay of 35 minutes due to floodlight problems threatened to grab all the headlines, but Sligo Rovers ensured the talk was about them, and not the electricians that ensured the game went ahead. Kick-off was delayed due to floodlight problems as a result of flooding. There were slight fears that the game would not happen but thanks to the services of three men, it went ahead, unfortunately for Galway.
First-half goals from Aaron Greene, John Dillon, Matthew Blinkhorn and Alan Keane meant John Brennan’s side faced an almost impossible task in the second half. An impossible task that was and two second half goals from Matthew Blinkhorn, along with a last minute strike from Rafael Cretaro meant that Oscar Sibanda’s goal had very little relevance.
Aaron Greene and Matthew Blinkhorn caused early problems for the side isolated at the bottom of the table. Eduardo Dusi was brought on in 18 minutes in place of Laurence Gaughan and did give Galway more energy when he entered the field.
Aaron Greene and John Russell linked up well on 19 minutes and the move finished with former Bohemians man Aaron Greene putting Paul Cook’s men ahead.
Just five minutes later it was disaster for United. Ronan Caldwell received his marching orders for pulling down Aaron Greene in the box. It may have been harsh but he did prevent a goal scoring opportunity. The result was the awarding of a penalty which John Dillon converted.
On 27 minutes, Alan Keane surged up the wing and crossed the ball in to the area. Former Galway man John Russell hit the ball against the crossbar but Matthew Blinkhorn was on hand to hit home to put Sligo three up.
Sligo were given a free on the edge of the box on 39 minutes, which possibly could’ve been a penalty but it didn’t matter anyways seeing as Alan Keane drove the ball in to the net from outside the box. Alan Murphy was forced to work as hard as he could and he had a cheeky effort on goal which just went over Brendan Clarke and hit the crossbar.
It took ten minutes of the second half for Sligo Rovers to add to their lead. John Russell played a perfect cross in to the area which Blackpool man Matthew Blinkhorn hit home to make it 5-0. Oscar Sibanda pulled one back for Galway on 59 minutes after a needless corner lead to some slack defending and Sibanda was there to notch the goal.
The following 25 minutes were reasonably quiet and nothing of note happened except for a large number for offsides. On 89 minutes came the hat-trick for Matthew Blinkhorn with an extremely well hit effort. Cretaro put the final nail in the coffin with his 90th minute goal. A night of misery for Galway after another annihilation from fellow Connacht club Sligo Rovers.
Sligo Rovers: Brendan Clarke; Alan Keane, Derek Foran, Gavin Peers (Alan Kirby, 57), Iarfhlaith Davoren (Conor Powell, 46); Aaron Greene, Danny Ventre, John Russell, John Dillon (Rafael Cretaro, 65), Joseph Ndo; Matthew Blinkhorn.
Subs not used: Ciaran Kelly, Eoin Doyle, Liam Martin.
Yellow cards: Davoren (21), Greene (41).
Galway United: John Egan; Laurence Gaughan (Eduardo Dusi, 18), Eric Browne, Paul Sinnott, Gary Kelly; Sean Kelly, Oscar Sibanda (Willie Enuble, 81), Jin Gu Kim (Bobby Ryan, 55), Mikey Gilmore, Alan Murphy, Ronan Caldwell.
Subs not used: Conor Winn, Darragh Duggan.
Yellow cards: Kim (2), Sinnott (67).
Red cards: Caldwell (23).
Referee: Anthony Buttimer.
Attendance: 2,301.
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: John Russell (Sligo Rovers).
