Rovers advance in Bru Cup
SLIGO Rovers advanced to the third round of the Irn Bru Scottish Challenge Cup thanks to a comprehensive victory over Livingston Colts at The Showgrounds on Saturday evening.
A hat-trick from Mikey Drennan was added to by leading goal-scorer David Cawley as Rovers saw off the Livingston Under 21s with ease.
Gerard Lyttle made one change to the side that defeated Cork City last weekend, with Kyle Callan-McFadden dropping to the bench in place of Kris Twardek.
Rovers, however, got off to the worst start possible as they went behind after just two minutes, when Patrick McClean lost possession, allowing Matthew Knox to charge down on goal, and his excellent finish past Mitchell Beeney in the Rovers goal silenced the Showgrounds.
Rovers went on the attack almost immediately as David Cawley spotted the run of Adam Wixted who crossed for Mikey Drennan in front of goal, the former Shamrock Rovers striker though could not connect.
The hosts nearly found themselves even further behind with just four minutes played as John Mahon slipped with the Colts on the attack, but a last minute interception from Patrick McClean ensured the ball trickled just wide of the post, almost an own goal.
A great save from Jordan Pettigrew in the Colts goal denied a David Cawley equaliser, before Regan Donelon’s effort from distance was forced wide by Pettigrew.
On 15 minutes, the sides were level as Drennan’s tidy finish was tucked past Pettigrew.
The Livingston youngsters almost found themselves trailing just two minutes later when Lee Lynch and Adam Wixted combined to set up Drennan again, but he just hit the post.
Rovers were beginning to take control of the game when a lovely ball from Rhys McCabe came to Wixted but Pettigrew got behind his effort before Wixted again sent his effort way over the post.
Cawley and Twardek were denied later on in the first-half, with Rovers well on top.
A goal-line clearance from Regan Donelon at the start of the second-half denied the visitors from taking the lead once again, but Rovers were soon ahead.
Kris Twardek’s cross was nodded in by Drennan to make it 2-1 to the hosts with 52 minutes on the clock.
Rovers’ experience started to show as they were well in control of proceedings.
On the hour mark, David Cawley made it 3-1 after looping it over the keeper.
Wixted was proving to be troublesome for the visitors’ defence, as he kept up the pressure, but his efforts went amiss.
As full-time approached, Rovers added another as Drennan secured a hat-trick with just minutes left on the clock - rounding up an excellent night for the Kilkenny man.
Sligo Rovers: Mitchell Beeney, Patrick McClean, John Mahon, Regan Donelon, Jack Keaney, Kris Twardek (Niall Morahan, 83), David Cawley, Rhys McCabe (Lewis Morrison, 69), Lee Lynch, Adam Wixted (Liam Kerrigan, 76), Mikey Drennan.
Livingston: Jordan Pettigrew, Carlo Pignatiello, Cameron Clark, Levi Kinchant, Hamish Thomson, Reece Rintoul (Jason Gregory, 66), Adam Watson (Sean McManus, 80), Cameron Blues, Jack Hamilton, Matthew Knox, Craig Henderson (Alberto Vezza, 66).
Referee: Lee Tavinder