SLIGO ROVERS sauntered to victory in Rob McDonald’s first pre-season game as manager of The Showgrounds outfit, at a sunny Swinford on Saturday afternoon.
The Sligo Rovers squad was sprinkled with players hoping to impress their new manager, but the goal-scoring exploits of Choice Aisien, must surely have impressed McDonald as the Nigerian native’s five goal haul will give the Sligo Rovers supporters hope that a gem may have been unearthed.
However, tougher tests lie ahead for Aisien and Sligo Rovers as Swinford FC, a Mayo Junior soccer club, have only recently begun their own pre-season training and Sligo Rovers’ upcoming games against Monaghan United and Finn Harps should provide sterner tests.

Energetic Build-up play
Just four minutes into Saturday’s contest, Sligo Rovers, who employed a 4-3-3 formation, opened the scoring. Some worthwhile build-up play resulted in Rafael Cretaro, the Tubbercurry ace, teeing up Choice Aisien and the big striker did not disappoint with an accustomed finish to the back of the net.
During the opening exchanges of this contest, Swinford relished the opportunity of upsetting the applecart and they deservedly equalised on nine minutes.
Some energetic build-up play from Keith Regan, saw the weaving winger deliver an excellent ball onto the path of Fergal O’Malley and he finished with aplomb past the despairing dive of Sligo Rovers’ recent acquisition, goalkeeper Tommy Arcaba, much to the delight of the large home support.

Aisien finishing prowess
Sligo Rovers upped the game to a different intensity from there on in and on 24 minutes, normal order was restored with The Showgrounds side regaining the initiative.
Some laboured build-up play resulted in Gary Curran gleaning possession and he impressively applied a sizzling snapshot to the back of the net, despite the best efforts of the beaten Holleran.
Four minutes later, Sligo Rovers pilfered their third goal of the day. Sligo Rovers player Sean Kelly released Aisien and he applied a simple close-range finish, much to the frustration of the host’s management.
Aisien worked hard throughout Saturday’s contest and he deservedly grabbed a hat-trick on 32 minutes, as he displayed his finishing prowess once again.
The game was effectively ended as a contest during the remainder of the first-half, with further Sligo Rovers goals from Martin Levchevski and Choice Aisien in the 35th and 44th minutes respectively.
To their credit, Swinford began the second period in a determined fashion and on 47 minutes, the hosts pulled back what would turn out to be a mere consolation strike.

Impressive performances
A swerving free-kick from the energetic Trevor McDonnell, deceived Arcaba and the leather sweetly struck the back of the net, much to the joy of the home bench.
However, Aisien scored his fifth and his team-mate’s seventh goal of the day on 52 minutes, to help give Sligo Rovers an unassailable lead, before the impressive striker was substituted.
The remainder of the game was largely a forgettable affair as Sligo Rovers added a further four goals. Those goals were scored by Piotr Badjaik (58), Rafael Cretaro (85) and Adam Hughes, who bagged an impressive brace (84 and 90). These scores helped round off an impressive display from McDonald’s charges. Jamie McKenzie, Rafael Cretaro and Choice Aisien all made notable contributions to the Sligo Rovers cause.

Swinford FC: S Holleran, T Kavanagh, P Quinn, L Foy, M Gallagher, M Farrelly, K Regan, C Gilmore, D Brennan, T McDonnell, F O’Malley
Subs used: E Kelly, R Quinn, D Igoe, P Noone, P O’Toole, D Campbell, K Moran
Sligo Rovers: T Arcaba, S Coleman, M Levchevski, J McKenzie, S Kelly, K Julian, R Cretaro, A Hughes, C Aisien, G Curran, J McCartney
Subs used: K Foy, P Badjaik, O Mannion, E Mulligan
Referee: D McGrath (Mayo)

Report by Patrick  Hennelly, courtesy The Sligo Weekender