- Stephen Pollard
- Mon, Apr 01 2013
Sligo Rovers continued their 100 per cent start to the 2013 season, with a 3-0 win over struggling UCD on Monday night in the Belfield Bowl.
Aaron Greene opened the scoring on 27 minutes with a fine finish, and after David Cawley had doubled the champions lead, Greene bagged his second and Sligo's third. The game also marked Anthony Elding's first league outing without scoring.
From the off, the champions signalled their intent as a cross from Kieran Djilali almost found in-form striker Elding in the area.
On four minutes, the Students created a chance of their own when a James Kavanagh free kick was met by the head of David McMillan. But unfortunately for the home side, Gary Rogers saved comfortably.
Neither side threatened again until mid way through the half when Aaron Greene let fly from the edge of the box. The ball just crept around the post with keeper Mark McGinley beaten.
On 27 minutes, some good work down the right from Rafaelle Cretaro and Kieran Djilali ended with the ex-Portsmouth midfielder back-healing the ball to Greene, His well placed shot was just beyond the reach of McGinley to open the scoring for the Bit O'Red.
The game went flat following the opening goal, UCD working hard to find an equaliser for the Students. That hard work was almost undone with a minute left in the half. Greene, who caused problems all though the opening half, took aim again, but this time Mark McGinley was up to the challenge, tipping the ball around the post.
Much like the first half, the men from the west began the second period the better. Djilali had an effort saved on 47 minutes by McGinley. Just a minute later though, UCD responded. Burke latching on to a misplaced pass from David Cawley and played through McMillan, whose shot was comfortably stopped by Rogers.
With 56 minutes on the clock, the Students broke down the right and crossed for Mark Langtry, who almost got on the end of it, only for ex-Toon defender Jeff Henderson to throw his body on the line.
A Sligo corner on 59 minutes was swung in by Cretaro and, after Greene's shot was saved by McGinley, David Cawley hammered home to extend the champions lead.
Sligo's pressure continued with Greene and Cretaro linking up to find stand-in captain Alan Keane only for the right back to fire wide. Moments later a free kick from the edge of the UCD area was curled magnificently over the wall by Ross Gaynor but McGinley was once again in the way.
Sligo continued to dominate, with Ross Gaynor firing straight at McGinley after a mazy run.
On 75 minutes Greene picked the ball up from an Elding header and preceded to take on the whole UCD defence. He took the ball past both O'Connor and Boyle before smashing home his second of the game, and Sligo's third.
UCD had a chance to get one back, but after a goalmouth scramble, referee Dave McKeon signalled a free to the away side.
Fourth official Simon Rodgers then signalled for three minutes additional time, and Sligo almost extended their lead, Cretaro swivelling in the box and forcing a save out of the over worked Mark McGinley.
Sligo Rovers are now five points clear of Derry City at the top of the table and have registered six wins out of six, scoring 15 goals with the concession of only two. They also welcomed back Iarfhlaith Davoren and Danny Ventre tonight from injury, which will further strengthen their squad.
In contrast UCD sit at the foot of the table with one point and face a tough trip to Cork City on Friday night.
UCD: Mark McGinley; Gareth Matthews, Thomas Boyle, David O'Connor, Sean Coyne; Robbie Creevy, James Kavanagh, Gary Burke (Mark Langtry 51), Dean Clarke, Sean Russell; David McMillan (Cillian Morrison 79).
Subs not used: Ger Barron (GK), Hugh Douglas, Craig Walsh, David Corcoran, Samir Belhout.
Booked: O'Connor (89).
Sligo Rovers: Gary Rogers; Alan Keane, Jeff Henderson, Evan McMillan, Ross Gaynor (Iarfhlaith Davoren 82); Rafael Cretaro, David Cawley, Lee Lynch (Ryan Connolly 81), Kieran Djilali (Danny Ventre 72); Aaron Greene, Anthony Elding.
Subs not used: Ciaran Kelly (GK), Pascal Millien, Liam Martin, Marty Owens.
Booked: Cawley (8), Elding (51).
Referee: Dave McKeon.
Attendance: 624
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Aaron Greene (Sligo Rovers).
