- Alan Finn
- Sun, Sep 15 2013
Sligo Rovers are through the semi-finals of the FAI Ford Cup for the fourth time in five seasons as they recorded a 1-0 victory over Derry City in The Showgrounds on Sunday afternoon.
Raffaele Cretaro’s 14th minute goal proved to be the difference between the sides but Gary Rogers ensured his side would not have to travel to the Brandywell for a replay with two injury time saves to deny Michael Duffy.
Rovers showed their intent from kick-off with Alan Keane and Raffaele Cretaro both flashing inviting crosses across the face of goal, but neither Aaron Greene nor Danny North could latch onto them.
The home side continued to press high up the pitch and deservedly broke the deadlock after 14 minutes. A Joseph Ndo free-kick, which looked as if it would be dealt with by Shane McEleney, founds its way to Cretaro following a slip by the defender who managed to bundled the ball beyond Gerard Doherty with a back heel effort.
Derry struggled to break down the home side for much of the half as they remained in control playing possession football, Simon Madden being the only player to really make Gary Rogers work when his swerving cross into the box could only be parried away.
Arriving in Sligo with a number of players already sidelined, the last thing Declan Devine needed was more injuries in the squad, but he was forced into a change in the 39th minute when Paddy Kavanagh was forced off with an ankle injury.
The Candystripes almost made it 1-1 minutes after the break when a Simon Madden cross was not properly dealt with, falling to Barry McNamee whose shot was blocked on the line by Gavin Peers.
Sligo should have doubled their lead after 58th minutes when a Keane cross found North on front of goal, but the striker could not latch onto it with the required shot. The ball then rolled back to Aaron Greene who blasted his effort from the edge of the box well over.
Rovers once again remained in control for much of the half again, but Michael Duffy almost forced the tie to a replay in injury time, first seeing a close range shot knocked away for a corner. The resulting corner was cleared as far as Duffy whose long range drive forced Rogers into a tremendous save.
Sligo Rovers: Gary Rogers; Alan Keane, Jeff Henderson, Gavin Peers, Iarfhlaith Davoren; David Cawley, Joseph Ndo, Seamus Conneely (Danny Ventre, 67), Raffaele Cretaro (Pascal Millien, 75), Aaron Greene; Danny North (Anthony Elding, 81).
Subs not used: Matt Gledhill, Lee Lynch, Liam Martin.
Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Simon Madden, Shane McEleney, Ryan McBride, Eoghan Osbourne (Ryan Curran, 77); Barry McNamee, Ruaidhri Higgins, Barry Molloy, Patrick Kavanagh (Michael Duffy, 39), Barry McNamee; David McDaid (Michael Rafter, 74), Rory Patterson.
Subs not used: Eugene Ferry, Raymond Foy, Sean Houston, Mark Griffin.
Referee: Neil Doyle.
Attendance: 2,465.
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Iarfhlaith Davoren (Sligo Rovers).
