Derry City 1
Sligo Rovers 0
ENDA CURRAN’S STUNNING second-half strike gave Derry City a precious first win of the season and the club’s first league victory over North West neighbours, Sligo Rovers, at the Brandywell since 2007.
However, the home lot had goalkeeper and man-of-the-match, Gerard Doherty, to thank for the win, as the Creggan man produced a magnificent save from John Russell’s close-range header on 72 minutes. The win ended the Bit O’Red’s five consecutive league wins against the Candystripes dating back to 2012.
Derry boss Roddy Collins made three changes to the team, which held champions St Pat’s to a scoreless draw at Brandywell last weekend.
Enda Curran, Aaron Barry and debutante, Jon Paul McGovern made the starting line-up at the expense of Patrick McEleney, Ryan McBride and Barry Molloy.
The ‘Bit O’ Red were without Danny North (toe), Seamus Connelly (groin), Raffale Cretaro (calf) and the long-term injured, Gavin Peers (knee) for the visit to Foyleside.
The visitors started the game in the ascendancy forcing four consecutive corners in the opening 10 minutes but to no avail. Roddy Collins Jr was forced off with an injury during a shaky opening to the game and was replaced by Dave Elebert — making his Candystripes debut. Derry eventually settled and almost broke the deadlock on 15 minutes through Patterson.
The Derry striker was gifted possession by a misplaced pass from Joseph N’Do and after getting past Jeff Henderson, he improvised well with a snapshot which was put behind by the keeper. Patterson blasted a free-kick over the bar shortly afterwards, when Ventre was fouled 25 yards from goal.
Enda Curran, deployed in an unfamiliar central midfield position, tested Gary Rogers with an effort on the volley from distance on the half hour mark but teh Sligo keeper saved comfortably.
Three minutes after the interval John Russell sent Sean Maguire scampering clear on goal, but his strike was palmed behind by Ger Doherty.
The Candystripes opened the scoring on 53 minutes when Aaron Barry found Curran on the edge of the area and the striker’s powerful shot nestled into the back of the net in off the left post.
It was a terrific strike and City almost pounced again two minutes later after a quick counter attack. Michael Duffy showed great pace and strength to get in behind Alan Keane and with Patterson and Stewart in support, he opted to shoot and Rogers parried it clear.
Sligo responded with two great chances in the space of as many minutes. Firstly Greene got to the byline and pulled ball back towards six-yard box, but Eric Odhiambo couldn’t get a telling touch on the ball and the chance was lost.
Sean Maguire then drove down the right flank and his dangerous low cross across the face of goal was somehow put the wrong side of the post by Greene under pressure from Barry.
Sligo came so close to an equaliser on 72 minutes from Ross Gaynor’s corner kick, but Evan McMillan’s downward header bounced narrowly over the crossbar.
The visitors were beginning to turn the screw and Doherty had to be at his best to save a close-range header from Russell, after McMillan had headed Greene’s lobbed pass into his path with 12 minutes to go.
It was a nervous end to the game for the home side but they did enough to close out the game and record a long-awaited home victory over their North West counterparts.
Other results:
- St Pat’s 1-4 Dundalk
- UCD 1-1 Limerick
- Cork 3-0 Shamrock Rovers
- Drogheda United 3-2 Athlone Town
- Bohemians 1-1 Bray Wanderers
Derry City: G. Doherty 7: R. Collins 5 (D. Elebert 7, 11), A. Barry 8, C. Byrne 7, D. Jarvis 7; M. Stewart 6, J.P. McGovern 6 (R. Curran 6, 73), D. Ventre 7, M. Duffy 6; E. Curran 8, R. Patterson 6 (B. Molloy 7, 58); Subs Not Used – C. Gallagher, M. Timlin, R. McBride, S. McEleney.
Sligo Rovers: G. Rogers 7; A. Keane 7, E. McMillan 7, J. Henderson 6, R. Gaynor 7; E. Odhiambo 7 (P. O’Connor 6, 69); J. Russell 6, J. Ndo 6, D. Cawley 6 (K. Spillane 6, 82), A. Greene 7; S,Maguire 7 (J. Loftus 6, 87); Subs Not Used – D. Ledwith, R. Brush, J. Dykes.
Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin)