The bank holiday Monday round of Airtricity League fixtures saw Sligo Rovers continue their indomitable start to the season, with a 3-0 win against UCD making it maximum points from the opening six games. Anthony Elding, Sligo’s new signing and top scorer so far this season, failed to score for the first time in a league game, but a double from Aaron Greene and a fourth clean sheet from six games will have Ian Barraclough confident his side are capable of continuing their systematic march to consecutive league titles.
The defeat meanwhile keeps The Students firmly weighted to the foot of the table as they continue to look for their first win of what has the ominous feeling of a potentially painful season for them.
Derry City remain Sligo’s closest early season challengers, with a 2-0 win, thanks to a Michael Rafter double, at Bray keeping them on Sligo’s tails and pushing them onto 13 points from their first 6 games.
Bray stay third from bottom, their slow start made to look less serious by the poor form of Shelbourne and UCD.
Shelbourne'a slide continues and the Tolka Park outfit look like they could face a year of serious trouble, with relegation now entering the discussion on The Reds.
Another defeat (this time against their near neighbours and bitter rivals Bohemians) makes it just one point from a potential fifteen for Alan Mathews’ men. Not only is it another loss, but another red card makes it three dismissals in five games for Shels and any potential reversal of fortunes will surely require the club to sort out their appalling disciplinary record of this season and last.
Shels and Mathews are surely thankful for the poor start also endured by UCD, as it keeps them from the very foot of the table, however barring a spirited display against Shamrock Rovers there has been nothing by way of positive performances.
Cork City were denied a win in Drogheda by a late Declan O’Brien penalty to tie the match at 1-1, as both sides picked up a point that keeps them firmly ensconced in the mid table pack.
Results
Derry City 2 - 0 Bray Wanderers The Brandywell
U.C.D 0 - 3 Sligo Rovers The UCD Bowl
Shelbourne 0 - 1 Bohemians Tolka Park
Drogheda United 1 - 1 Cork City Hunky Dorys Park
Image: Shelbourne's Ian Ryan is sent off by Referee Pauric Sutton
©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
