Sligo Rovers 3 - 1 Ballinamallard United

Sligo Rovers have made it four pre-season victories out of five following a 3-1 victory over Fermanagh outfit Ballinamallard United on Monday night.

The Bit O’Red could have opened the scoring after just two minutes when Lee Lynch made progress down the right before crossing the ball into Aaron Greene who scooped the ball over the bar.

The deadlock was broken on 18 minutes as Rafael Cretaro scored after running onto an excellent through ball from Liam Martin, who recently returned from a loan spell at Ferney Park.

Rovers doubled their lead just five minutes later when Seamus Conneely showed great composure to skip past Fergal Murphy and tap the ball home.

With just under ten minutes to go, Mayo man David Cawley stunned The Showgrounds when he picked up a ball and unleashed a cracking effort on goal which found the back of the net from all of 40 yards. A goal so good, even the visitors congratulated him after scoring.

David Kee came agonisingly close to pulling a goal back for the visitors with a decent strike from distance, but his curling effort flew just wide of Ciaran Kelly’s goal.

Despite their best efforts, Ballinamallard struggled to break down the Rovers rear guard, with Ryan Campbell and Chris Curran going closest to scoring early in the second-half.

Persistence would finally pay off in the 87th minute when Stephen Sheridan scored a consolation with an easy finish from close range.

Sligo Rovers: Ciaran Kelly; Alan Keane (Marty Owens 64), Gavin Peers (Evan McMillan 46), Jeff Henderson, Ross Gaynor (Jake Dykes 68); Seamus Conneely, David Cawley, Lee Lynch (Shane McGinty 68), Liam Martin (Pascal Millien 64); Rafael Cretaro, Aaron Greene.

Subs not used: Adam Murphy, Hugh McFadden.

Ballinamallard United: Fergal Murphy; Gary Phair (Gareth Carruthers 65), James McKenna, Gary Liggett, Danny Keohane (Jason McCartney 46); Dwayne McManus (Stephen Sheridan, 46), Chris Curran (Jonathan Courtney 65), David Kee (Neil Coulter 57), Miki Havoren (Conor O’Grady 14), Nathan Cashel; Ryan Campbell.

Subs not used: Alvin Rouse, Darren Higgenbotham.

Attendance: 400 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Lee Lynch (Sligo Rovers).