Sligo Rovers v Everton Res

Everton reserves lost their final pre-season friendly of the summer, going down 2-0 to Sligo Rovers.

Alan Stubbs handed Shane Duffy his first start since the horrific injury he picked up on international duty whilst homecoming hero Seamus Coleman was granted permission to play the first ten minutes before enjoying a rousing reception from the Showgrounds regulars when he was replaced by Aristote Nsiala.

Neither side troubled the opposition goalkeeper during a scrappy opening period but as the half wore on, Sligo began to impose themselves in the game and it was by no means against the run of play when John Dillon created space for himself on the edge of the box and fired a sweet low finish past Turner.

There was a real flashpoint just before the break when first Jose Baxter and then Shane Duffy attempted to impede Romauld Boco and after the second challenge a ‘free-for-all’ broke out that included several players from both teams. During the unsightly melee Duffy shoved Richie Ryan to the floor and referee Conor Fitzgerald was lenient with his decision to show the big defender a yellow rather than a red card.

Early in the second half, James Wallace slipped Jose Baxter in on goal with a very nicely weighted pass but Sligo keeper Ciaran Kelly smothered the eventual shot and a great block by Duffy denied Gary McCabe at the other end.

The young Irishman was involved at the other end in the 62nd minute when his powerful header from a Baxter free-kick was tipped over the bar by Kelly.

The advantage was doubled in the 71st minute when Boco, a Benin international in his second spell with Sligo, forced home a loose ball inside the Everton six-yard box. There was no way for The Toffees although Baxter did at least hit the target with an effort from distance that Kelly comfortably gathered.

This was a somewhat disappointing way for the second string to end their pre-season campaign and Sligo were full value for their victory although it’s worth pointing out that the League of Ireland season has been up and running since March so their players are fully up to speed.