Greene’s early double lets Rovers climb to summit

SLIGO ROVERS were in cruise control at Hunky Dorys Park as they took over top spot in the Premier Division without having to hit top gear against the hosts.

Two first-half goals from Aaron Greene put them in the driving seat, and the three points looked safe even before John Russell added a late third and Drogheda had Mark O’Brien sent off deep into stoppage time for a second bookable offence.

The Bit O’Red made a dream start after forcing a corner in exactly 60 seconds.

Drogheda’s defending was poor as Joseph Ndo’s in-swinging corner kick was half-cleared to the edge of the box, from where Aaron Greene rifled a shot past goalkeeper Stephen Trimble.

In the 29th minute when the Drogheda defence stood off Blinkhorn and allowed him to slip the ball into the path of Greene, whose low shot bounced in off the inside of the post.

John Russell scrambled in Sligo’s third goal before O’Brien compounded the home side’s misery.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Trimble, Gaul (Corcoran 69), Gannon, Rogers, Clarke; Fitzgerald (Melis 80), Quigley, M O’Brien, McMahon, Hand; White (Dolan 69).

SLIGO ROVERS: Clarke, Keane, Peers, Foran, Davoren (Powell 77); Ndo, Ventre (Kirby 84), Ryan, Russell, Greene; Blinkhorn (Cretaro 71).

Referee: Padraig Sutton (Clare).