Rovers conquer United in testimonial
The Sligo Rovers legends ran out 4-1 winners against the Manchester United legends this afternoon to help celebrate Gerry Carr's testimonial in style.
A crowd of roughly 700 came to watch the game, and had to wait 10 minutes for the first chance as United striker Andy Ritchie found himself in space, but shot well over from distance.
Cook had a similar chance immediately after Ritchie's effort, but the current Rovers manager dragged his shot well wide of the target from about 20 yards.
Ritchie was proving early on he would be the danger man for United today as he got on the end of a fantastic Denis Irwin cross, but headed wide.
After about 20 minutes of play, Rovers took the lead when some good play from Padraig Moran saw the forward set up Eddie Annand, who fired a cracking shot from distance into the net, leaving the 'keeper with no chance.
Clayton Blackmore forced Nicky Broujos into action for the first time as the 'keeper spilled the shot, but recovered well the get hold of the ball. Minutes later Frank Stapleton then forced a great save from Broujos as he touched the ball over the bar for a corner and Ritchie went very close once again shortly after the corner kick.
Cook and Annand linked up superbly to give Moran a great chance to score his first of the night, but he failed to get on the end of Annand's cross. Moran's collision saw United 'keeper Fraser Digby forced off with half an hour gone due to a shoulder injury. Peter Davenport replaced Digby as David May went in goal for the remainder of the half.
Cook made absolutely no mistake with his second effort when he showed some fancy footwork to wriggle through the defenders to get into the box before scoring a with a very neat finish to make it 2-0.
Cook scores
May was then forced into a save when he got in front of an Annand header. At the other end Gavin Dykes was on hand to make a goal line clearance immediately after Annand's chance.
United looked to have pulled one back when Andy Ritchie tapped in from an acute angle, but he was adjudged to have been offside by the linesmen.
Alan McLoughlin then forced another cracking save out of Broujos, who really was in top form tonight.
Ben Thorley had the final opportunity of the half when a ball came in from the right for him, but he shot wide from close range as he just failed to wrap his foot around the shot.
As the second half began, there were a number of subsitutions made by both teams, but there was very little of note to report in the first 15 minutes, the most notable incident being the portapotties being moved from the Jinks Ave. Stand.
The game then had its first chance of the second half as Stephen Carr, Gerry Carr's brother, saw his soft effort cleared off the line for a corner.
Stapleton had United's first chance as he attempted to chip substitute 'keeper Danny O' Leary, but his effort went over. From half time onwards, Broujos swapped his Rovers kit for a United kit to fill in for the injured Digby.
Annand almost scored completely by luck soon after when hiis seemingly overhit cross actually hit the crossbar on the way out.
Moran scored a fine goal just minutes later when he went on a run from just inside the United half, before slotting the ball under the on rushing Broujos to make it 3-0.
Immediately after that, Davenport pulled one back for a United with a cheeky chip over O' Leary from close range.
With minutes remaining, Rocco Carr, the young son of Gerry and nephew of Stephen, was brought on for his Rovers debut, and almost scored instant goal only for Broujos got down well to save!
Kenny went close with an effort from just outside the box before Karl Wilson extended Rovers lead to 3 goals again with the last chance of the game. A good day for Gerry, a deserved win and i'm sure he's delighted looking at the 'Sligo Rovers 4-1 Man United' scoreline!
