Bluebell United 0 - 0 Derry City

Bluebell United deservedly earned themselves a replay at the Brandywell on Tuesday night as they held cup holders Derry City to a scoreless draw on Friday evening.

The Leinster Senior League side showed plenty of heart and inventive play as Derry City's awful home form continued.

Derry City on the other hand must be wondering what they have to do to produce any sort of performance at home. They seemed to lack hunger and at some points of the game found it difficult to string two or three passes together.

The opening period was devoid of any real chances but in the 17th minute a rasping David McDaid shot was palmed clear by McNulty in the Bluebell goal.

The visitors responded almost immediately when Robert Douglas fired in a low drive which Doherty scrambled away to safety. In the 28th minute Shane Stritch should have scored for Bluebell. He managed to wriggle out of two tackles and was bearing down on Doherty when he slightly miscontrolled allowing Doherty the time to clear.

Derry were being reduced to long range efforts which were mainly finishing high or wide. However the home side did go close in the 42nd minute when a powerful 35yd free kick from Rory Patterson was tipped over the bar. Another chance went begging on the stroke of half time when a Madden cross was headed over by David McDaid.

Derry began more earnestly in the second half and will feel they should have had a penalty in the 47th minute. The ball was played into Patterson in the box and his turn fooled Sherlock who appeared to bring the striker down but referee Paul McLaughlin remained unmoved.

Bluebell's Griffiths and Douglas both had half chances shortly afterwards but both saw their efforts go over Doherty's bar. Another Patterson free kick for Derry in the 62nd minute was saved smartly by McNulty and Derry seemed to be running out of ideas on how to break down the resolute Leinstermen.

Shane Stewart could have been the hero in the 84th minute as he was through on goal but an excellent tackle from McEleney spared the Foylesiders blushes. Michael Duffy almost gave Derry an undeserved victory but somehow shot wide from four yards in injury time.

Andy Noonan will be absolutely delighted with his players but Declan Devine cut a sorry figure as he trudged off to a chorus of boos from the home fans. The two sides will do it all again on Tuesday night again at the Brandywell and on this evidence an upset certainly can't be ruled out.

Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Simon Madden, Barry Molloy (c), Shane McEleney, Eoghan Osbourne (Dean Jarvis 46); Paddy Kavanagh (Michael Duffy 78), Sean Houston (Mark Griffin 29), Ruaidhri Higgins, Barry McNamee; David McDaid, Rory Patterson.
Subs not used: Eugene Ferry, Raymond Foy, Ryan Curran, Michael Rafter.
Booked: None.

Bluebell United: Andrew McNulty; Tony Keeler, Andrew Cleary, Peter Sherlock, Mark Rooney; Glen Madden (c), Robert Douglas (Mickey Collins 59), John Cleary (Peter Darcy 84), Trevor Molloy; Shane Stritch (Sean Stewart 65), Tony Griffiths.
Subs not used: Darragh Killeen, Sean Fitzpatrick, Ger Rafter, Darragh Satelle.
Booked: John Cleary, Tony Keeler, Shane Stritch, Mickey Collins.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
Attendance: 800 (estimate).
ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Trevor Molloy (Bluebell United).