UCD 2 - 1 Sligo Rovers

• Simon O'Gorman
• Fri, Apr 29 2011


Goals from Robbie Benson and Graham Rusk were enough to earn UCD their first home points of the season despite a passionate fight back from Sligo Rovers that was fueled by a late strike from substitute Mathew Blinkhorn.

Played in beautiful evening sunshine and on a pitch that was unrecognisable from the ploughed field of recent weeks, all this game needed was a few goals to help complete the general feeling of a summer bank holiday weekend. The pre-match omens were not promising, however, with the students having failed to score in any of their three home games to date.

But just eight minutes in Robbie Benson got a head to Dean Marshall’s corner and powered the ball past Brendan Clarke in the Sligo goal. It was no more than Martin Russell’s side deserved as moments earlier Robbie Creevy had connected with Paul O’Conor’s cross from the right and sent a spectacular bicycle kick sailing just under Clarke’s crossbar. It was the Sligo ‘keeper’s equally acrobatic tip over that produced the corner from which the students then scored.

Chances would fall to both sides throughout the half, Graham Rusk coming close for UCD with two efforts in the 17th and 28th minutes, and Dean Marshall planting a somewhat awkward shot against the Sligo woodwork five minutes before half time. Most notably for Sligo, Iarfhlaith Davoren volleyed over from a tight angle following a deep cross by fellow full back Alan Keane. Richie Ryan also came close for the ‘Bit o’ Red’ with a sumptuous strike from 25 yards that dipped oh so narrowly over the UCD bar.

Raffaele Cretaro also had an opportunity, running through onto an Eoin Doyle pass only to fling himself over the body of Ger Barron who came out to claim the ball. No penalty was awarded and when John Russell repeated the trick in the 26th minute referee Graham Kelly saw fit to have a quiet word.

The second half began with Sligo on the front foot, their controlled passing play leading to a superb ball forward by Cretaro that almost put the charging full back Davoren through. But UCD held their own, refusing to be panicked out of their own flowing style of play.

Paul Corry, Robbie Benson and Robbie Creevy continued to impress in the centre for the home side but their attacking ambitions were somewhat smothered by the impressive physical presence of Gavin Peers and Jason McGuinness in the Sligo defence.

Meanwhile, Ndo and Ryan were continuing to pull strings in the visitor’s midfield and on 58 minutes they should have been level. Ryan sent a ball over the top that Barron misjudged, allowing Doyle to wrestle his way past. The Sligo striker might have shot himself but chose instead to set up Cretaro who scuffed his shot.

One minute later UCD hit a second when Darren Meenan’s shot on goal apparently hit a Sligo hand. But there was no time for debate as Graham Rusk picked up the second ball and tucked his shot past Clarke.

Thereafter it was Sligo who had the bulk of possession, edging forwards in their ever patient manner. But all too often promising passages of play came unstuck with a final ball that failed to find it’s intended target. As the time ticked away a succession of crosses rained in on the UCD penalty area but with Barron in commanding form Sligo’s chances of getting back into the game seemed to have disappeared.

But with seven minutes remaining substitute Mathew Blinkhorn got on the end of a cross from the left and bundled the ball past defender Mick Leahy and, in turn, Ger Barron to give the visitors some hope. With that a hitherto polite game ignited. Sligo surged forwards and the stand filled with passionate encouragement.

With just three minutes left Richie Ryan clattered into Samir Belhout who stayed down well after the play had moved on. Two more challenges flew in before play stopped and Ryan almost started a riot with his physical insistence that Belhout get up.

Calm was finally restored and the final minutes were played out without further addition to the score-line. Three well won points for UCD then along with Sligo Rovers’ first away defeat of the season.

UCD: Ger Barron; Paul O’Conor, Michael Leahy, Yael Haro, Ciaran Nangle; Darren Meenan, Robbie Benson, Robbie Creevy (Daniel Ledwith, 62), Paul Corry, Dean Marshall; Graham Rusk (Samir Belhout, 77).
Subs not used: Mark McGinley, Sean Harding, Sean Russell, Stephen Doyle, Gavin Colton.

Bookings: Leahy (79), Barron (89).
Sendings Off: None.

Sligo Rovers: Brendan Clarke; Iarfhlaith Davoren, Jason McGuinness, Gavin Peers, Alan Keane; John Russell, Joseph Ndo (Aaron Greene, 77), Richie Ryan, John Dillon (Daryl Horgan, 61), Raffaele Cretaro (Mathew Blinkhorn,69); Eoin Doyle.
Subs not used: Ciaran Kelly, Derek Foran, Danny Ventre, Alan Kirby.

Bookings: Peers (89).
Sendings Off: None.

extratime.ie Man of the Match: Robbie Benson.
Referee: Graham Kelly.
Attendance: 412.