SOCCER AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION: Sligo Rovers 3 Bray Wanderers 1:EOIN DOYLE scored a hat-trick as Sligo Rovers bounced back from their defeat by Shamrock Rovers last weekend to take all three points at the Showgrounds last night.
Bray goalkeeper Matt Gregg could do nothing to prevent Doyle from giving the home side the lead in the 14th minute. Doyle scored his second of the night in the 59th minute following good play by Alan Kirby and he completed his hat-trick after 68 minutes.
Bray substitute Jake Kelly had a shot saved by Sligo goalkeeper Ciaran Kelly after 72 minutes but Sligo were always in control as the second half progressed. Daryl Horgan forced the visitors into a swift clearance after two minutes of the first half as the hosts went in search of an early goal.
Gary Dempsey showed his ability with some clever defensive play in the early stages but the Bray goal had a let off in the sixth minute when a Doyle cross was missed by Aaron Greene. Gregg was stretched to keep a looping Horgan shot out on 23 minutes as the home side continued to dictate the play.
Bray squared the match on the half-hour mark when Conor Murphy drilled the ball low into the Rovers net after a defensive slip up by Paul Cooke’s side. Murphy went close again after 35 minutes as Kelly hesitated before clearing the danger.
Doyle should have put the hosts back in front after 37 minutes but his low 30-yard drive flew wide of Gregg’s goal. It took the visitors a while to get into their stride up front but despite getting into their rhythm Pat Devlin’s men couldn’t get a goal back to make it a contest.
SLIGO ROVERS:Kelly, Russell (Ndo, 63 mins), Horgan (Dillon, 60 mins), Greene, Peers, McGuinness, Davoren, Doyle (Cretaro, 82 mins), Ryan, Kirby, Keane.
BRAY WANDERERS:Gregg, Webster (J Kelly, 21 mins), Massey, O'Connor, Prendergast, Dempsey, Zambra, Kelly (O'Neill, 69 mins), Murphy, Shields (Doyle, 69 mins), Kendrick.
Referee:T Connolly (Dublin)
