Raff scores twice in 4-0 victory

Rafael Cretaro, Eoin Doyle and Daryl Horgan all scored against UCD tonight in Sligo Rovers biggest win of the season.

Rafael Cretaro

Photo courtesy of Shane Murray

Anyone in attendance will tell you it was a very frustrating first half for large parts, and it took a while before the first real chance came with Eoin Doyle having a go from just outside the box, Ger Barron spilled the ball but was able to reach it just before Alan Kirby could poke it into the goal.

Kirby then played a great ball into Doyle, but he failed to connect with the ball, any sort of touch would have guided it in. UCD then immediately after had their own chance when Graham Rusk tried to bend his shot around the defender and goalkeeper, but it also evaded the post.

Kirby had another chance to score when John Dillon layed the ball off to him after some brilliant play, but the ex-Longford Town man dragged his effort wide.

After that chance it became a quiet game, with little or nothing to get excited about, but suddenly Aaron Greene made a surging run up to wing and delivered a terrific ball into Rafael Cretaro to score his first League goal of the season and break the deadlock.

The really woke up Rovers, and immediately after the restart Dillon almost scored a wondergoal when his cross almost beat Barron, but the keeper was able to tip it over the bar. After a scramble in the box, Doyle was able to score a poacher's goal to make it 2-0 just before the break.

The 2nd half started and it was clear to see the goals injected a lot of belief and confidence into the team, Joey Ndo in particular who had a slow start to the game.

Dillon was proving to be a threat as he delivered another threatening ball into the box, but Doyle failed to keep his header down. Richie Ryan then almost scored a great chipped effort, but it must've been no more than a couple of inches over the bar.

Daryl Horgan and John Russell were introduced for John Dillon and Joseph Ndo with about 65 minutes of the game gone. Ryan saw a great shot met by an equally great save, leading to a corner. It would prove to be a bizarre and very rare occurance as Daryl Horgan managed to whip a ball into the box that curled all the way around the players and went in off the far post, what a way to introduce yourself to the match!

Daryl Horgan

Photo courtesy of Shane Murray

We were now looking like the side of last season with some great passing moves and the general play was amazing, a breathe of fresh air after what we witnessed for the majority of the first.

UCD were then awarded a freekick, but Clarke was well able to catch the incoming ball. He then lauched an attack sending a great kick out in the direction of Cretaro who cut inside and from no less than 20 yards saw his sweet finidh beat Barron at the far post for the goal of the game and a worthy goal of the season candidate.

It would prove the be the last chance of the game as Rovers slowed down the game until the Final whistle, finishing with a comfortable 4-0 victory which never looked in doubt after Raff gave Rovers the lead. Next up is a trip to Derry on Tuesday who are one of the main challengers for the title this season.

Sligo Rovers: Clarke, Keane, McGuinness, Ventre, Greene, Dillon (Horgan, 65 mins), Kirby, Ryan, Ndo (Russell, 65 mins), Cretaro (Devaney, 82 mins), Doyle

Subs not used: Kelly, Foran, McGoldrick, Blinkhorn

UCD: Barron, D. O' Connor, Nangle, Harding, P. O' Conor, Boyle, Marshall (Russell, 73 mins), Ledwith (Benson, 73 mins), Meenan (Roche, 84 mins) , Corry, Rusk

Subs not used: Kelly, Kavanagh, Morrison, Belhout

Attendance: 1567

thebitoredblog Man of the Match: Rafael Cretaro