Advantage Hoops after 2-0 win over lacklustre Rovers

Shamrock Rovers take a 2 goal advantage into next tuesday's second leg as they deservedly defeated a Rovers team who simply didn't turn up at the races tonight.

The game did start brightly for Rovers, as they forced two corners in the opening minutes, but from there on in, it soon became all Shamrock Rovers as they took advantage of many loose passes.

Rovers continued to keep them out, but the Hoops broke the resistance in fantastic style, when midfielder Ronan Finn struck a sublime, if not unstoppable shot into the top corner from 25 yards, leaving Brendan Clarke with no chance of reaching it.

Cook soon decided to make a change, taking off Matthew Blinkhorn for Rafael Cretaro. They should have perhaps been 2-0 up earlier through Ken Oman, but he saw his header hit the side netting.

Rovers were failing to pose any sort of genuine threat and and entered the break, in need of some tactical changes for the 2nd half. They started lively, but still failed to test Alan Mannus.

Cook made his second change, bringing on John Russell for Alan Kirby, and despite the motivation from the home crowd, it was Shamrock Rovers who extended their lead when Karl Sheppard headed in from close range.

It was becoming a nervous game to watch, as Brendan Clarke was keeping the scoreline from getting any worse. The game did eventually go from bad to worse for Rovers as John Russell was shown a straight red. Perhaps a harsh decision, as there was no intent of hurting a player in the tackle.

Rovers only threatening chance came through Gavin Peers, whos powerful header from a corner went just over Mannus' goal. The Hoops held on for the two goal advantage to take to Tallaght Stadium next Teusday, where Sligo Rovers have it all to do.

From a constantly malfunctioning scoreboard, the a below par performance, nothing seemed to go right for Rovers, but the important thing is they put a rare bad night behind them and look ahead to friday's game against Dundalk.

Sligo Rovers: Clarke, Keane, Foran, Peers, Davoren, Greene (Dillon, 71 mins), Kirby (Russell, 57 mins), Ndo, Ryan, Doyle, Blinkhorn (Cretaro, 30 mins)

Subs not used: Kelly, McGuinness, Ventre, Horgan

Shamrock Rovers:  Mannus, Sullivan, Oman, Murray, Stevens, Kelly (Dennehy, 66 mins), Finn, Rice, McCormack, Sheppard (Kavanagh, 88 mins), O' Neill (Kilduff, 74 mins)

Subs not used: Thompson, Gannon, McCabe, Corcoran

Attendance: 2100 (approx.)

thebitoredblog Man of the Match: Brendan Clarke