UCD 2 Sligo 1:GOALS FROM from Robbie Benson and Graham Rusk gave UCD only their second league win of the season at the expense of an underperforming Sligo Rovers at the Belfield Bowl last night.
College almost took the lead early on when a cross from Paul O’Connor on the right enabled Robbie Creevy to get in a spectacular overhead effort which was brilliantly pushed over by Sligo ’keeper Brendan Clarke.
From the resulting corner by Dean Marshall in the eighth minute, Benson was able to head home at the near post. It was the first home league goal for College in 278 minutes of league football this season.
Raffaele Cretaro might have had Sligo level only to see his effort pushed away before, straight up the other end, Rusk saw his effort gathered by Clarke.
Richie Ryan had one effort for the visitors just over the top before College almost stretched their lead just before the interval. Marshall’s shot hit the bar and then Benson saw his effort brilliantly pushed over by Clarke.
Joseph Ndo headed wide for the visitors early in the second half after a Richie Ryan corner on the right.
The Students then extended their lead on 59 minutes when Darren Meenan’s effort was blocked by a wall of Sligo defenders, but Rusk was on hand to apply the vital finishing touch.
Substitute Mathew Blinkhorn grabbed a goal for Sligo on 83 minutes when his effort from the edge of the box seemed to take a deflection en route off Michael Leahy.
UCD: Barron; O’Connor, Leahy, Haro, Nangle; Meenan, Benson, Creevy (Ledwith, 62), Corry, Marshall; Rusk (Belhout, 77).
SLIGO ROVERS: Clarke; Davoren, McGuinness, Peers, Keane; Russell, Ndo (Greene, 77), Ryan, Dillon (Horgan, 61), Cretaro (Blinkhorn,69); Doyle.
Referee: Graham Kelly (Cork).
