Sligo ease past UCD to move up to fifth

Basement side UCD were unable to follow up on their first win of the season last week, as they fell 3-1 to Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.

Well in control in the opening 45 courtesy of strikes from the Bit O'Red’s Max Mata and Fabrice Hartmann, the Students made things a little nervy for Rovers when they fired back courtesy of Mark Dignam on the stroke of half-time.

UCD did make things awkward for Rovers in the second half, but they didn’t have it in them to find the goals required to follow up their win over Cork City eight days previous.

Hartmann calming the Showgrounds’ nerves 14 minutes from full time when his shot took a wicked deflection off a defender on its way to the net.

With just five points gathered from their last five outings, Sligo manager John Russell made four changes from last week’s underwhelming draw with Drogheda United at the same venue.

Johan Brannefalk returned from injury, while there was place for Niall Morahan and Kailin Barlow. Former Bohs defender James Finnerty made his first appearance for Rovers, starting at centre half. While teenage prospects Eli Rooney and Owen Elding, son of 2013 FAI Cup final hero Anthony, were both named on the Rovers bench.

Looking to close the gap between themselves and the pack ahead, College made one change from their win over Cork City, with Alex Nolan returning in attack.

With one win and a draw taken from their last five games, the Students didn’t have the kind of start they would have hoped for.

Goalkeeper Kian Moore had to fall at Barlow’s feet to deny the Sligo town native after the net minder saw his attempted clearance blocked down by same man five minutes in. Things got worse 60 seconds later when unchallenged, Mata rose to nod Barlow’s corner past Moore for