| Rovers secure victory over the Students |
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| Friday, 19 September 2008 | |
 The Bit O'Red scored a precious away victory as they overcame the challenge of U.C.D . thanks to first half penalty converted by Sean Doherty after Raff Cretaro was upended in the box.
report courtesy www.rte.ie Matt Gregg may appreciate the notion of football being a cruel game as he made a string of quality saves, only to see his single mistake of the game cost UCD the match. With Finn Harps losing at Bohemians, this was an missed opportunity by College to close the four-point gap in their battle to avoid relegation. But in truth, Sligo were the better side, creating more of the chances and defending their lead well throughout the second half. Eager to stem the flow of three straight defeats, UCD might have been in front within two minutes. Alan Mahon whipped over a superb free-kick from the right and his opposite full-back Ian Bermingham arrived to plant a firm header straight at Richard Brush - anywhere else and it was in the net. Sligo probed with effort from the lively Rafael Cretaro and Sean Doherty before Brush was called in action again at the other end. Pat McWalter set up Mark Duggan whose fierce shot was only partially blocked by Gavin Peers with Brush getting down well to save at the second attempt. Brush then excelled with the stop of the first half on 17 minutes when parrying away Duggan's low drive after McWalter threaded him in on goal. The action would then very much centre around UCD keeper Gregg's goal until the break. Gregg first had to show his agility, diving full length to push away Richie Ryan's 30-yard shot before he effectively gifted Sligo their winner on 27 minutes. The industrious Cretaro was needlessly barged to the ground by Gregg as he rose to head over the bar from Ryan's cross. Referee Dave McKeon pointed to the spot and Doherty shot to the corner of the net despite Gregg getting a hand to the penalty. Gregg redeemed himself with a good diving save to push Romu Boco's low shot out for a corner while the Benin captain then shot over the bar from close range as the chances just kept coming. UCD had much of the ball throughout the second half but, save for a shot wide of the target from McWalter, rarely threatened. Sligo might have added to their winning margin on the counterattack in the 66th minute when Gregg had to make another good save after Boco worked a one-two with Doherty to shoot. UCD: Gregg; Mahon, McNally, Kenna, Bermingham (Ward 75 mins; Shortall 84 mins); McWalter, Finn, McFaul, Duggan (King 75 mins); Purcell, Meenan. Sligo Rovers: Brush; Coleman, Peers, Ventre, Butler; Cash (McTiernan 73 mins), O'Grady, Ryan, Doherty (McDaid 75 mins); Boco, Cretaro (Curran 68 mins) Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin) |
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