Sligo Rovers 2 - 1 UCD
Credit:
A hectic last five minutes at The Showgrounds saw Sligo Rovers overcome UCD 2-1 on Saturday night. Danny North gave Sligo Rovers the lead in the first half before David O'Connor equalised in the 90th minute. Sligo snatched all three points in the third minute of stoppage time with Jason McGuinness heading past UCD keeper Ger Barron.
Neither side started the game brightly in a congested midfield where most of the early action took place. Lee Lynch had the first real effort of the game when he collected a pass from Ross Gaynor but fired it straight at Ger Barron in the UCD goal.
UCD’s only early opportunity was a timid shot on goal from Danny Ledwith that was held easily by Gary Rogers. UCD were passing the ball well and it was 20 minutes before we had any real action. Alan Keane lost the ball to Ciaran Nangle and slid in to claim it back, catching Nangle in the process. Referee Rob Rogers showed the red card without any hesitation and with that, Sligo were down to ten.
Just three minutes after the Bit O’ Red were reduced to ten, they found themselves ahead through former St. Pat’s striker Danny North. North took his goal beautifully, chipping UCD ‘keeper Ger Barron after a Ross Gaynor pass.
The students found themselves on the back foot after the goal and Sligo came close to doubling their lead on 26 minutes. Former Drogheda man Lee Lynch whizzed down the field and slipped the ball to Danny North. North found John Dillon across midfield, whose shot went agonisingly wide.
Martin Russell’s side began the second half as the better side. Midfielder Paul O’Conor was the first to have Rovers quaking in their boots but the danger was gotten rid of when his shot was deflected. Danny Ledwith’s excellent free on 50 minutes just edged wide of Gary Rogers’ goal and with that, Rovers found themselves under pressure.
UCD continued to pressurise Sligo and came close to equalising through Chris Lyons after Robbie Benson found him in space, but the 18 year old could only hit it across goal.
A quick move up field saw Lee Lynch gift the ball to Cretaro who could only hit it wide. From then, it was all UCD. The equalizer was coming and it was David O’Connor who grabbed it for UCD after a goalmouth scramble which Sligo Rovers could not clear. The students looked to have grabbed a share of the points until a Jason McGuinness header on 93 minutes gave Ian Baraclough his first league win of the 2012 season.
Sligo Rovers: Gary Rogers; Alan Keane, Jason McGuinness, Gavin Peers, Ross Gaynor; John Dillon (David Cawley, 79), Danny Ventre, Lee Lynch, Joseph Ndo (Iarfhlaith Davoren, 58), Romauld Boco; Danny North (Rafael Cretaro, 73).
Subs not used: Richard Brush, Mark McGoldrick, Liam Martin, Jake Dykes.
Bookings: Davoren.
SendingsOff: Keane.
UCD: Ger Barron; Danny Ledwith, Mick Leahy, Ciaran Nangle (Mark Langtry, 69), David O’Connor; Chris Mulhall, Paul O’Conor, James Kavanagh, Robbie Benson; Graham Rusk, Chris Lyons (Dean Clarke, 78).
Subs not used: Mark McGinley, Hugh Douglas, Barry McCabe, Stephen Doyle, Cillian Morrison.
Bookings: Langtry.
Referee: Rob Rogers.
Attendance: 2,097.
extratime.ie Man of the Match: Jason McGuinness.
