Bit O'Red book Aviva spot | Airtricity League

Bit O'Red book Aviva spot

Sligo Rovers booked their place in the FAI Ford Cup final at Aviva Stadium with a well deserved victory over Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

The visitors dominated the match from start to finish and booked their place at Aviva Stadium thanks to a Gavin Peers goal midway through the second half.

The Bit O’Red were superb throughout and their first half performance ranks amongst the best 45 minutes of football any team in the league has produced all season.

Sligo Rovers owned the football for large periods of the first half and should have gone ahead on 11 minutes. Matthew Blinkhorn dropped deep and brilliantly played in Romauld Boco, whose attempt to lob Bohs ‘keeper Barry Murphy went narrowly over the crossbar.

Boco had his sights on goal three minutes later when he unleashed a shot from outside the box which Murphy did well to hold.

Raffaele Cretaro had the home side’s first effort on goal on 24 minutes but his long range effort was comfortably saved by Ciaran Kelly.

Just one minute later the visitors were threatening again, John Russell’s goalbound shot blocked by the leg of Conor Powell.

The best chance of the half came on 36 minutes and once again it fell to Sligo Rovers. Gary McCabe unleashed a fierce shot from distance which Murphy could only parry. The ball dropped to Blinkhorn and Murphy did wonderfully to block his shot from close range.

The second half started as the first ended, with Sligo well in control. McGlynn knicked the ball off Boco’s foot just as the Sligo midfielder was about to shoot from close range on 50 minutes.

The visitors continued to dominate but they had to wait until the 75th minute to go in front. Richie Ryan swung in a corner kick and Gavin Peers rose highest to head past the helpless Murphy.

Substitute Doyle had a chance at doubling the lead in the 88th minute but Shelley took it off his toe just as he was about to strike.

It was not to matter, however, as Paul Cook’s team ran out 1-0 winners.

Bohemians: Murphy, Rossiter (Lopez, 34 mins), Oman, Shelley, Powell, Brennan, Keegan, Cronin, McGlynn, Byrne (Quigley, 51 mins), Cretaro (Madden, 72 mins)

Sligo Rovers: Kelly, Keane, Peers, Lauchlin, Davoren, McCabe (Doyle, 86 mins), Russell, Ndo, Ryan, Boco (Ventre, 83 mins), Blinkhorn (O’Grady, 90 mins)

Referee: A. Kelly

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