Dean Bennett’s third-minute sending off proved crucial as first-half goals from Richie Ryan and Joseph Ndo put Sligo Rovers on the road to a comfortable 5-0 win over nine-man Dundalk at The Showgrounds on Tuesday night, as the Bit O’ Red shot three points clear at the top of the table. Bennett, who returned from suspension having missed the last two games, had a short stay on the pitch as he was dismissed for taking down Matthew Blinkhorn just outside the box as he looked to get into the clear. The resulting free-kick was superbly executed to the top corner by Ryan, before Ndo added a second before the break with a fine strike from 30-yards. Substitutes John Dillon and Eoin Doyle netted in the second half, while Johnny Breen put through his own net late on and Greg Bolger was sent-off on the 90, to complete a forgettable night for Dundalk.
Early twist
Dundalk manager Ian Foster, who served a sideline ban for his dismissal during the FAI Ford Cup replay at Bohemians, made two changes to the team that started Friday night’s defeat at the UCD Bowl. Top scorer Mark Quigley and Bennett returned from bans to replace Carl McHugh, who is on international duty with the Ireland U19s, and the suspended Jason Byrne. Darius Kierans took charge of the team for the second time this season, having also led them into the home game against Bohemians in July. The game took a huge twist after just three minutes when Bennett was dismissed after Blinkhorn showed pace to get onto a ball through the middle, the 33-year-old dragging the striker to the ground. From the resulting free-kick, in the ‘D’, Ryan curled delightfully to the top corer, with ‘keeper Paul Murphy rooted to the spot.
Blinkhorn close
Sligo pressed for a quick second, but it was Dundalk who had the next effort on goal as a 40-yard free-kick from Mark Quigley was on target but home No1 Brendan Clarke gathered comfortably. Then, at the other end, the ball fell invitingly to Danny Ventre 25-yards from goal but his rising strike narrowly cleared the crossbar. Sligo, with a man advantage, controlled much of the possession but they were failing to test Murphy. On 18 minutes, they had loud appeals for a penalty waved away as they claimed a handball against Breen. On the midway point of the half, an Ndo corner fell to Ryan whose shot was blocked by Quigley as the visitors cleared the danger. On 27 minutes, Sligo should have made it 2-0 when Ndo and John Russell played a neat one-two, with the latter getting into the box and delivering a low cross for Blinkhorn but, as he slid in, he failed to connect by inches as Dundalk survived.
Ndo strike
However, on 36 minutes, Sligo did double their advantage. Aaron Greene was fouled on the left but the referee, with the whistle to his lips, decided to play advantage, with the former Galway United forward finding Ndo 30-yards from goal and he drilled a powerful low shot first-time to Murphy’s right-hand corner. In the opening moments of the second half, Dundalk had an opportunity to half the deficit when Bolger did really well on the left of the box to battle past Alan Keane and pull the ball back for Quigley but under pressure his shot was half-blocked and Clarke saved. Dundalk were working hard and on 54 minutes they closed down the hosts in their own half, Keith Ward getting the ball but his drilled shot, from a difficult angle, went off target. Before the hour, Russell had a tame shot saved by Murphy, while, at the other end, Ward went closer with an effort from range, the ball going just over Clarke’s bar.
Subs’ double
On 61 minutes, Sligo made it 3-0. Russell saw his shot from the left of the box pushed away by Murphy but Dillon was on hand to fire to an empty net. Moments later, they could have had a fourth as Greene crossed from the left into the six-yard box for Blinkhorn who looked certain to score but he was brilliantly denied by the foot of the Dundalk ‘keeper. Sligo’s tails were up as they went in search of more goals, and they went close again on 69 minutes but Ndo’s header was gathered on the line. The next goal came two minutes later when Ndo and Dillon combined in the box, the latter getting to the by-line and crossing for Doyle to tap in from close range. The striker had only been on the pitch a minute as he made his return from injury. Sligo continued to go in search of goals, with the home side going close eight minutes from time as Ndo’s corner somehow went over after it landed in the six-yard box. It was 5-0 on 86 minutes when Breen put into his own net from a Greene cross, before Bolger was sent off for a second bookable offence on the 90.
SLIGO ROVERS FC: Brendan Clarke, Alan Keane (Liam Martin 83), Gavin Peers (John Dillon 35), Jason McGuinness, Conor Powell, Joseph Ndo, Richie Ryan ©, John Russell, Danny Ventre, Aaron Greene, Matthew Blinkhorn (Eoin Doyle 70).
Goals: R Ryan (4), J Ndo (36), J Dillon (61), E Doyle (71), J Breen (OG 86).
Booked: J Dillon (75).
Unused Subs: Ciarán Kelly (GK), Derek Foran, Alan Kirby, Liam Martin.
DUNDALK FC: Paul Murphy, Simon Madden ©, Cian Byrne, Dean Bennett, Nathan Murphy, Keith Ward (Chris Reilly 88), Greg Bolger, Stephen McDonnell (Philip Duffy 79), Ross Gaynor, Mark Quigley, Johnny Breen.
Booked: C Byrne (16), R Gaynor (45+1), G Bolger (61, 90).
Sent-Off: D Bennett (3), G Bolger (90).
Unused Subs: Peter Cherrie (GK), Conor McDonald.
Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin).
Attendance: 2,380.
