Rovers Down The Town
Saturday 18th Feb 2012. Preseason Friendly.
Sligo Rovers 3-0 Athlone Town (The Showgrounds)
Athlone Town got a good workout on a cold wet Saturday evening in the Sligo Showgrounds with new signing Ross Kenny donning the captains armband for the preseason friendly. Recent signings Brian McCarthy and Garvan Broughall also made the starting line up along with ex Salthill goalkeeper Bernard Power.
The rest of the starting lineup had a familiar look with Mark Sherlock and Noel McGee leading the attack while Kevin Williamson, Brian Gill and Jason Hughes joined Broughall across the middle of the pitch. Paul Danaher partnered McCarthy in the centre of defence with Damien Rushe moving back to a right full position with Kenny on the left.
Despite the final scoreline, Town had plenty of chances with Mark Sherlock and Garvan Broughall coming close on a number of occassions.
Half way through the 1st half, Rafeal Creato opened the scoring for the home side when he reacted quickest to the ball rebounding off the crossbar to tap home from close range. Mark Sherlock caused problems for the Sligo defence and had a few pot shots fly just wide of the post before the break.
In the second half Rovers became more dominant however Gary Rogers was called into action twice in quick succession to save at the feet of Garvan Broughall.
Town held on and battled hard but with 15 minutes to go, and with hailstones pounded down, Sligo substitute Pascal Millian sent a lightning bolt of a shot into the top corner of the net leaving Power with no chance in the Athlone goal. As spectacualr as his goal was, Millian set about an acrobatic somersaulting celebration to match it!
Five minutes later Danny North rounded things off for the home side to finalise the 3-0 victory.
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Brian Gill slides in to take the ball away from Gavin Peers
AC Sports Images 