Sligo Rovers 1 - 0 Athlone Town

• David Goulden
• Sat, Jun 05 2010


Sligo Rovers progressed to the fourth round of the 2010 FAI Ford Cup on Friday night with a close 1-0 victory over Brendan Place's Athlone Town. A goal just after the break from Man of the Match John Dillon saw Paul Cook's men through, but it wasn't all plain sailing.

Rovers looked the stronger side in the first half but failed to capitalize on several chances with Richie Ryan, John Russell, Joey Ndo and Iarfliath Davoren all going close. Gavin Peers also had the ball in the midlander’s net but the linesman adjudged that Joseph Ndo’s corner had gone beyond the by-line before reaching Peers.

Athlone did manage to give the home side some food for thought though as Riche O’Hanlon had their best chance on eleven minutes. Gary McCabe was substituted four minutes before half time after he was involved in an altercation with Athlone full back Des Hope, and referee Dave McKeon saw fit to book the Rovers winger. To protect McCabe from further punishment, Sligo introduced Dean Marshall to the attack.

It was Marshall who was involved in the game’s only goal on 46 minutes. Joey Ndo found Marshall on the wing and his cross from the right left John Dillon with the easiest of finishes. Sligo should have two up seven minutes later but Padraig Amond’s header wasn’t accurate enough at Chris Bennion’s front post after a good cross from Marshall.

Rovers never looked like killing off the game and a stubborn Athlone side kept searching for the equalizer. Both Austin Skelly and Gordon Watson had chances right after each other but both men failed to hit the target.

Sligo Rovers: Brush; Whelan, Davoren, Peers, Foran, Ryan, Dillon, Russel, Ndo, Amond, McCabe ((Marshall 41’) O’Grady 86’).

Athlone Town: Bennion; Scullion (Broughall 83’), O’Shea, Relihan (Dolan 70’), Hope, McCarthy, O’Hanlon, Place, Watson, Skelly, O’Connell (O’Halloran 73’).

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).
Attendance: 1,500
Extratime Man of the Match: John Dillon