Galway United 0 - 8 Sligo Rovers

• Diarmuid Kelly
• Sat, Jul 16 2011




Top of the table Sligo Rovers ran out easy winners over lowly Galway United at Terryland Park on Friday night in a ruthless display that included a hat-trick for Matthew Blinkhorn and a brace for Eoin Doyle.

There was also a goal apiece for Richie Ryan and Raffaele Cretaro, and an own goal courtesy of Paul Sinnott in a result that was made all the easier by the early dismissal of Galway United midfielder Eduardo Dusi for two rash challenges in quick succession.

Eoin Doyle got the visitors first goal as early as the fifth minute. After collecting Richie Ryans ball over the top, the in-form striker held off the challenge of Stephen Walsh to fire low into the corner. Sligo looked really up for the game and had further chances through Blinkhorn who was denied by Connor Winn twice in quick succession.

The second goal was not long in coming and by 14 minutes Richie Ryan had the ball in the net. After an Ndo corner was defended only as far as Doyle, the forward fed Ryan who powered a shot towards goal that took a deflection off Alan Murphy before nestling in the net.

The signs were ominous for the hosts as they tried in vain to slow down the Sligo play. Eduardo Dusi picked up his first yellow card for two tackles on Richie Ryan within a minute of each other as frustration set in. But as hard as the Galway side tackled they couldn’t stop the Sligo tide and when Cretaro found the net in the 33rd minute the contest was over.

Stephen Walsh’s unfortunate slip allowed Blinkhorn possession in a dangerous position and the big forward threaded through the perfect ball to Cretaro who turned the defender and fired coolly past Winn to effectively seal the victory.

Dusi picked up his second yellow card soon after for another clumsy challenge on Ryan and referee Tom Connolly had no choice but to send the Brazilian to the dressing rooms.

With only ten men on the Galway side the game lost its competitive edge and descended into a practice session of keep-ball for the league leaders. Blinkhorn opened his account on the 37th minute when he finished off Alan Kirby’s through pass to make it four nil. The big striker went on to make it five just before halftime with the pick of the goals.

Gavin Peers found Alan Keane in an advanced wide position on the right and the defender played a first time ball to Blinkhorn who controlled on the thigh before volleying into the roof of the net from a tight angle. The visitors dominance was such that Galway must have wanted to stay in the dressing rooms after halftime.

Sligo seemed to have left their ruthless streak in the dressing room at the beginning of the second half as they concentrated on audacious manoeuvres on the edge of the Galway area to no avail. It wasn’t until the 73rd minute, and after numerous changes, that the Bit O Red added their sixth. The difference in quality of the respective squads was there for all to see as the visitors introduced John Dillon, John Russell and new signing Conor Powell who all gave a good account of themselves.

Alan Keane was the tormentor in chief down the right wing an his low cross was met first time by Blinkhorn who drilled low into the net to complete his hat-trick, a personal victory for a striker who has come in for criticism for his low goal return.

A seventh arrived on 77 minutes when John Russell beat Oscar Sabinda down the right before shooting for goal. His wayward effort was half blocked by Paul Sinnott but this only served to direct the ball past the stranded Conor Winn.

Going into the final minute there was time for Doyle to add to his impressive league goal scoring record. Keane again found room down the right to find the forward who off balance beat Winn from close range.

A thoroughly impressive display by the league leaders sent out a statement of intent to the rest of the league but it’s hard to see how Galway can recover from their troubles both on and off the field.

 

Galway United: Connor Winn; Evan Preston Kelly (Rory Gartlan, 50), Eric Brown, Stephen Walsh, Paul Sinnott; Bobby Ryan (Ger Cheevers 87), Eduardo Dusi, Gary Kelly, Mikey Gilmore (Oscar Sabinda, 65); Ronan Cauldwell, Alan Murphy.
Unused Subs: Eric Holland, Darragh Duggan, Luke Nolan.

Bookings: Dusi (25), Murphy (25).

Sent Off: Dusi (34).

Sligo Rovers: Brendan Clarke; Alan Keane, Gavin Peers, Jason McGuinness, Aaron Greene; Richie Ryan, Joseph Ndo, Alan Kirby (Conor Powell, 66), Raffaele Cretaro (John Dillon, 71); Eoin Doyle, Matthew Blinkhorn (John Russell, 77).
Unused Subs: Ciaran Kelly, Danny Ventre, Derek Foran, Iarfhlaith Davoren.

Bookings: None.

Referee: Tom Connolly.
Attendance: 1,055
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Matthew Blinkhorn was brilliant upfront but Alan Keane cannot go without mention and picks up the gong.