Sligo Rovers just about scrape past Pike Rovers

Sligo Rovers were given a bit of scare tonight as they only just defeated Pike Rovers to win 3-2.

It would be fair to say it wasn't a great 1st half, and the opening minutes certainly didn't get anyone too excited despite Rovers getting 3 early corners, the only real threatening piece of play coming from a mazy run from Derek Foran.

David Ryan of Pike Rovers had a goal ruled out for offside, but the linesman made a very poor call in the end, with the striker clearly being onside. Immediately after that attempt, Rovers were rewarded a penalty when Brian Cleary hacked down Daryl Horgan in the box. Alan Keane stepped up to take the resulting spot kick, but his effort rattled the crossbar.

Sligo Rovers were definetely getting the better of the chances, John Russell in particular, who seen two headers go wide. That was just about it before the half time whistle was blown to end a disappointing 1st half.

The 2nd half began with little to get excited about, but Pike Rovers were the first to have a go at goal, and had a good effort at that when John Tierney forced a fine save out of Brendan Clarke to tip it over the bar.

Paul Cook introduced Richie Ryan and Rafael Cretaro for Danny Ventre and John Russell, but immeditely after coming on, Pike Rovers took the lead and deservrdly so through a fine Colm Carroll header. This woke The Bit O'Red up a bit.

Sligo Rovers took equalized just 3 minutes later. After a goalmouth scramble, Cretaro was able to lay the ball off to Jason McGuinness, who smashed the ball home for his 1st goal for the club.

Jason McGuinness

Photo courtesy of Shane Murray

The Cup Holders then took the lead 5 minutes later, McGuinness again, this time with the header, but it may have gone down as an own goal when it struck a defender on the way in.

Rafael Cretaro then struck minutes after McGuinness scored his second, but this goal required a bit of luck. Having a go from long range, his effort took a deflection off of an opposition player, and some how got passed goalkeeper Gary Neville to give Rovers a two goal cushion.

Matthew Blinkhorn went agonizingly close to putting the game beyond doubt when he got on the end of a John Dillon cross, but he was to close to Neville to really trouble him.

David Ryan got justice for disallowed goal when he took advantage of a mistake from McGuinness to put the Limerick side in with a late chance of forcing the game into a replay.

That would prove to be the last chance of the game, and after an excellent first half, Sligo Rovers progressed to the next round, but will count themselves lucky. Credit where credits due for Pike Rovers, they put in an excellent performance, and this was acknowledged by all when they recieved a round of applause from the Sligo Rovers fans. Rovers next match will be in the League, away to Bohemians on the 10th June.

Sligo Rovers: Clarke, Keane, Foran, McGuinness, Foran, Davoren, Horgan (Dillon, 76 mins), Kirby, Russell (Ryan, 56 mins), Ventre (Cretaro, 56 mins), Greene, Blinkhorn

Subs not used: Kelly, Peers, McGoldrick, Doyle

Pike Rovers: Neville, O' Donovan, Colbert, Cleary, Mullins, Hartnett, Kavanagh, Hanrahan (Phelan, 73 mins), Ryan, Tierney (Ahearne, 73 mins), Carroll

Subs not used: Considine

Attendance: 965

FAI Man of the Match: Iarfhlaith Davoren

thebitoredblog Man of the Match: Derek Foran