- Alan Finn
- Sat, Apr 06 2013
Sligo Rovers restored their five point lead at the top of the Airtricity League Premier Division table following a 2-0 victory at home to Shelbourne.
Anthony Elding was on target once again with a goal in either half as he took his goal tally to eight in the League this season.
Aaron Greene had the first real opportunity of the game when he latched onto a cross from Ross Gaynor, but Niall Burdon reacted quickly to get down low to push it out for a corner.
Seven minutes later, Sligo Rovers took the lead following a quick counter-attack when as Rafaelle Cretaro pushed forward with a piercing run down the right and had Anthony Elding and Kieran Djilali waiting in acres of space in the box. The Tubbercurry native opted to square the ball for prolific Elding who fired home for his seventh league goal of the season.
Greene once again was a key figure in every threatening Rovers attack and he almost set Elding up for a second goal when his through ball picked out the striker, but he was unable to find the back of the net as he lofted the ball over the bar from an angle.
Shelbourne could have equalised just before half-time when a dipping shot from 20 yards by Dean Kelly forced Gary Rogers into action as he tipped it over the bar.
Rovers remained in control after half-time and they eventually made their dominance count again on the hour mark when Rafaelle Cretaro cut inside from the right before forcing Burdon into a save. A goalmouth scramble then ensued which resulted in Anthony Elding poking the ball home on his second attempt to double the home side's lead.
Burdon was forced into another save minutes later when he done well to deny Ross Gaynor when the left-back struck a super free-kick from 25 yards.
Greene went close again when a ball was whipped into the box from the left which he got his head onto, guiding it narrowly wide of the target.
Despite having much of the game left to play, Rovers continued to control proceedings without really threatening the Shelbourne goal again.
Sligo Rovers: Gary Rogers; Alan Keane, Evan McMillan, Jeff Henderson, Ross Gaynor; Rafaelle Cretaro (Pascal Millien, 79'), David Cawley, Lee Lynch (Danny Ventre, 46'), Aaron Greene, Kieran Djilali (Ryan Connolly, 59'); Anthony Elding.
Subs not used: Ciaran Kelly, Gavin Peers, Iarfhlaith Davoren, Liam Martin.
Bookings: None.
Shelbourne: Niall Burdon; Pat Flynn, Brian Shorthall, Graham Gartland, Jack Memery; Robert Cornwall (Craig Mooney, 90), Paul Crowley, Robert Bayly, Adam Hanlon (Sean Brennan, 79); Dean Kelly, Philly Hughes (Mark Leech, 67).
Subs not used: Eoin Comerford, Alex Prizeman, Darren Tinnelly, Stephen Hurley.
Bookings: Paul Crowley.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
Attendance: 3,158.
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Raffaele Cretaro (Sligo Rovers).
