Monday night’s win over St. Patrick’s Athletic at the Showgrounds brings Sligo Rovers goal tally to 21 over their last 4 home games. A blip 1-0 loss away to Dundalk in the league the only blemish on the sides recent record.
Paul Cook kept the same starting XI that put 5 past Bray last Saturday night, John Dillon holding onto his place wide on the right despite the availability of Gary McCabe who was suspended for the Bray win.
John Russell was instrumental in Monday night’s victory and it’s no surprise Paul
Cook’s side have been playing some of the best football in the league since his first game for the club, coming on as a sub during the 6-0 win over Letterkenny Rovers in
the previous round of the EA Sports Cup.
Russell, alongside Richie Ryan in the centre of the park are providing a formidable force and it was the combination of the two that saw Rovers go a goal up in after 22 minutes. Ryan stuck a free kick into Dan Connor’s box and found Russell unmarked at the back post to squeeze the ball between Connor and the post.
Rovers were dominating a strong St Patrick’s Athletic side, the league’s top scorer Padraig Amond looking lively up front with Joseph Ndo, who in recent games, is beginning to show just how stylish a player he is.
The former Cameroon international doubled the home sides lead just after the half hour mark. A sweeping move, emanating deep in the Rovers half saw Richie Ryan, John Dillon and Russell all combining to put Ndo in on goal. The former St. Pat’s man made no mistake slotting past Dan Connor.
In the final 15 minutes of the first half the Inchicore side did have their chances too, hitting the crossbar at one stage and Richard Brush was on hand to save from Alex Williams.
The second half opened with Dan Connor pulling off an excellent save from Padriag Amond.
Pete Mahon’s side stepped up their efforts for the second half but never really threatened Richard Brush’s goal. Dave Mulcahy and David McAllister’s influence in the centre of the park grew as the game turned a little scrappy.
The Dublin side reverted to a more physical approach in an effort to disrupt Rovers slick passing game. This saw Alex Williams pick up a yellow card after a hefty challenge on Alan Keane under the noses of those sitting on the St Pat’s bench.
On 70 minutes St. Pat’s did pull one back to leave the Rovers faithful a little uneasy in their seats, Connor Sinnott beating Brush in a crowded penalty area.
However, Conor O’Grady who came on in place of Russell, was seen diving to his left, like a young Peter Smicheal and did get a gloveless hand to the ball but failed to stop Sinnott’s effort.
The referee, Mr. N Doyle who must have seen it, blew his whistle and pointed to the centre spot. Presumably he took the view Conor “Smicheal” O’Grady was behind the goal line didn’t interfere with play. But the referee’s assistant flagged and suggested O’Grady should be booked. Out came the yellow card for the Rovers captain and the game resumed with a Rovers tip off.
One would think if O’Grady deserved a booking for interfering with play the circumstances would deem a spot kick for St Pat’s, but this was not the way our diligent official saw it.
St. Pat’s had a number of corners, as they searched for an equaliser but the centre-half pairing of Danny Ventre and Gavin Peers were on hand to mop up any danger.
With 5 minutes to go Eoin Doyle put the game beyond the visitors and Amond completed the rout in the final minute making it 4-1.
So Rovers progress to the last 4 of the League Cup along with Shamrock Rovers, Monaghan and Dundalk. Considering current form, Paul Cook’s side must been seen as one of the favourites to lift the cup, which was last lifted by Rovers in 1998 when Nicky Reid’s team defeated Shelbourne over two legs.
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