LOI round-up: Parkes on target for Sligo while Cobh rout sorry Wexford

Sligo Rovers secured their second win on the bounce thanks to a 1-0 victory over UCD in front of a crowd of 2,103 at the Showgrounds on Saturday night.

Romeo Parkes scored the only goal of the game with just six minutes on the clock and, despite a spirited effort from the visiting Students, held out for the win.

UCD manager Collie O’Neill was forced into two changes from the side that drew with St Patrick’s Athletic last week as Ireland under-21 star Neil Farrugia and Conor Davis missed out.

In came Yoyo Mahdy and Kevin Coffey to a much-changed frontline but they couldn’t find the cure for their scoring ills, which have seen them score just two goals in five games so far.

An error at the back let in Parkes for the game’s only goal, the Jamaican international breaking through on goal before slotting the ball calmly beneath keeper Conor Kearns.

Parkes, a winter acquisition from USL side Pittsburgh Riverhounds, celebrated his second goal in as many games with what is quickly becoming his trademark backflip.

Mahdy was denied an equaliser by Sligo keeper Mitchell Beeney after he was played in on goal, while Sam Warde was inches away from adding a second for the Bit o’ Red.

Coffey came inches from tying the game up in the second half, only for John Mahon to make a crucial interception, and Sligo held out to move above Cork City on goal difference.

In the First Division, Cobh Ramblers got their season up and running with a ruthless 6-1 victory over Wexford at St Colman’s Park.

Both sides went into the game without a point from their opening pair of fixtures, but there was never any doubt about the location of the six points.

Jaze Kabia scored twice, while Chris Lyons, Stephen Kenny and Cian Leonard were also on target in addition to an own goal. Jack Doherty pulled one back from the spot for the visitors.