Super Sligo close on Saints

INSPIRED by two early goals from English striker Matthew Blinkhorn, Sligo Rovers made it eight competitive matches unbeaten with an easy victory over outclassed Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds last night.

The win moves Sligo up to second place, just a point behind leaders St Patrick’s Athletic.

It was another disappointing night for the Seagulls after such a promising start to the season, this being their fourth defeat in a row.

Sligo had the perfect start when a cross by Alan Keane on three minutes was chested down by Blinkhorn and the striker fired home on the turn from 14 yards, giving goalkeeper Matt Gregg no chance.

Winger Alan Kirby then had a chance for the visitors after a misdirected pass by Derek Prendergast. But this time, Gregg was out to block the effort.

Sligo stretched their lead on nine minutes when, after a neat exchange between Keane and Joseph Ndo, the Cameroon international provided the perfect cross for Blinkhorn to sidefoot home at the near post. After that hugely impressive early start, it was one-way traffic in the direction of the Bray goal with Ndo and Richie Ryan dominant in the Sligo midfield. Sligo had another chance on 63 minutes but this time Eoin Doyle had a header just wide of the target after a cross from Keane.

Irish U19 international striker Conor Murphy then had an angled shot well saved by Clarke after Shields had created the opening

Sligo added their third on 84 minutes when man of the match Ndo sent over a cross which Eoin Doyle headed home at the far post, his 13th league goal of the season.

BRAY WANDERERS: Gregg; S.O’Connor, Mitchell, Prendergast, Massey; D. Doyle (D. McGuinness 71), Dempsey, D. O’Connor (O’ Neill 59), Zambra, Shields; Murphy (Mulroy 71).

SLIGO ROVERS: Clarke; Keane, Peers, J. McGuinness , Greene; Ndo, Ryan, Kirby (Ventre 73); Cretaro (Horgan 81), Blinkhorn (Dilllon 66), E. Doyle.

Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork).