Sligo keep pressure on leaders after emphatic win at Belfield

UCD 0 Sligo Rovers 3: Sligo Rovers kept up the pressure on St Patrick's Athletic and Dundalk at the top of the table with a comfortable 3-0 win at The Bowl against UCD.

It was the home side who started stronger with Robert Creevey, Sean Russell and Dean Clarke all threatening the Sligo goal as the defending champions failed to get into their stride with a lack of accuracy and urgency in their early play.

As the half progressed, Sligo improved and they missed a golden opportunity to take the lead just before the half hour. UCD goalkeeper Ger Barron miskicked a backpass straight into the path of Aaron Greene who pulled it back for Danny North but his shot from six yards was somehow headed off the line by Hugh Douglas.

Side netting
Two minutes later North shot into the side netting before Joseph Ndo's great run and shot was just off target ensuring the match remained scoreless at the break.

Sligo almost scored immediately after the restart but Barron saved well from North.

It seemed to be only a matter of time before the away side scored and in 48th minute, they took their deserved lead when Kieran Djilali’s excellent shot from just outside the goal flew past Barron’s despairing leap into the top corner of the goal.

As the match developed Sligo took complete control with Ndo and Davornen having chances before they doubled the lead just past the hour when Ndo's inswinging corner from the left went directly into the Students net.

Only effort
UCD's only effort on goal in the second half came when Craig Walsh shot straight at Gary Rogers while for Sligo North and Gavin Peers went close.

North finally got on the scoresheet in the final minute after Greene’s cross from the left provided him with an empty net to seal an emphatic Sligo victory.

UCD: G Barron, H Douglas, M Langtry, D O'Connor, M Leahy (C), R Creevy, (S Belhout 60 mins), B McCabe, C Walsh, D Clarke, (G Burke 66 mins), C Morrison, S Russell. Subs not used: M McGinley, R Benson, G Matthews, J Kavanagh, M Kelly.
SLIGO: G Rogers, A Keane, I Davoren, G Peers, J Henderson, J Ndo, (S Conneely 75 mins), A Greene ( L Martin 90 mins), K Djilali, D Ventre (C), D North, L Lynch (D McMillan 75 mins). Subs not used: D Cawley, A Elding, M Gledhill, P Millien.