Sligo Rovers trounce troubled Galway United 8-0
Sligo Rovers sent a clear message of intent out to their opponents challenging for the League title this season with an absolute wholloping of Galway United in Terryland Park.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Finn
With a number Rovers of fans still only arriving at the stadium, Eoin Doyle opened the scoring after just 5 minutes when Richie Ryan played a superb ball over the top for the in form striker who slotted the ball low past Conor Winn.
They almost made it 2-0 after 10 minutes when Aaron Greene crossed into Blinkhorn to have a shot, he seen his shot saved by Winn but the ball eventually ended up with Blinkhorn again, but Winn was on hand to save again.
Rovers did get their second when Ndo's corner was poorly cleared to Eoin Doyle, who laid the ball off to captain Richie Ryan to send an absolute piledriver into the goal which the resulted in a small, celebratory jig between Ryan and Ndo at the corner flag.
The aforementioned jig
Photo courtesy of Kevin Finn
Brendan Clarke was forced into his only notable save of the night when he kept out a header from Gary Kelly. The Tribesmen then saw two consecutive yellow cards shortly after the chance, Eduardo Dusi was booked for twice tackling Richie Ryan in the space of a few seconds, the referee was forced to flash yellow when he went in from behind. Alan Murphy then recieved yellow for dissent.
The 3rd goal of the game fell to Rafael Cretaro when he was played through by Matthew Blinkhorn after taking advantage of a Stephen Walsh slip, and the Tubbercurry Tornado made no mistake with a tidy finish past the onrushing Winn.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Finn
The Tribesmen faced further misery just one minute later when Dusi was sent off for a second bookable offence. He can have no complaints as he recieved a second yellow for the exact same reason he got the first one.
The in-form Matthew Blinkhorn popped up to score goal number 4 as he recieved a ball from Alan Kirby before burying a lovely shot into the far corner.
You'd nearly expect a team to sit back and relax on a 4 goal lead, but Rovers were by no means finished for the first half as they made it 5 before the break. Alan Keane delivered a great cross into the box which Blinkhorn got on the end of to smash the ball into the roof of the net. At this rate you couldn't even so much as look away from the pitch for a few seconds out of fear you'd miss a goal!
Galway players and fans a like breathe a sigh of relief as the referee blew the whistle for half time. If i'm being honest, I was surprised to see all those Galway fans still sticking around for the second half to witness such a game, can't help but say fair play to them!
As the second hald began, Rovers were simply keeping posession and didn't seem to intent on shooting. Although not frustrating to watch given the scoreline and some lovely the passing, the only real highlight of the first 20 minutes of the half was Jason McGuinness falling over the wall on our side of the ground.
Conor Powell was introduced for his debut with 25 minutes of the game remaining, coming on for Alan Kirby. Much like Alan Keane, Conor was showing how much of an attacking threat he can be as he constantly bombed down the left flank.
Conor Powell
Photo courtesy of Kevin Finn
Matthew Blinkhorn completed a well deserved hat-trick as Keane was the provider again when he sent a cross into the Galway box which was met by the tall striker first time.
Just minutes after replacing Rafael Cretaro, John Dillon was next up to try his luck as he tried his luck from long range and beat the keeper with the help of a slight deflection. The goal has gone down as a Paul Sinnott own goal by some, but i'd give it to Dillon as it was only a slight deflection and it looked almost destined for goal anyways.
Eoin Doyle finally wrapped up the goalscoring with his 2nd of the game, but more incredibly, Rovers 8th of the game! Alan Keane was on hand to claim his 3rd assist as his ball found Gingerito, but despite the ball looking like it may miraculously stay out of the goal, Doyle found his balance and fired home.
So a night of 8 goals, all for The Bit O' Red, and surely there will be no happier player than Matthew Blinkhorn who has been silencing his critics lately as Sligo Rovers remian top with a heavily increased goal difference. Next up for Rovers is a home tie next weekend against fellow title contenders St.Patricks Athletic.
Hattrick Hero
Photo courtesy of Kevin Finn
Galway United: Winn, E.P. Kelly (Gartlan, 50 mins), Walsh, Brown, Sinnott, Gilmore (Sibanda, 65 mins), Dusi (S/O), G. Kelly, Ryan (Cheevers, 86 mins), Murphy, Cauldwell
Subs not used: Duggan, Holland, Nolan
Sligo Rovers: Clarke, Keane, McGuinness, Peers, Greene, Cretaro (Dillon, 71 mins), Kirby (Powell, 66 mins), Ryan, Ndo, Doyle, Blinkhorn (Russell, 77 mins)
Subs not used: Kelly, Foran, Davoren, Ventre
thebitoredblog Man of the Match: Matthew Blinkhorn
