Derry City 2 - 1 Bluebell United

Derry City booked a place in the quarter finals of the FAI Cup against Sligo Rovers with an improved if still unconvincing performance in their third round replay against Bluebell United at the Brandywell on Tuesday evening.

The home side finally tasted victory at the Brandywell for the first time in seven attempts and had just too much quality for the game non league outfit although it was plain to see they are still struggling with their home form. 

Ian Baraclough was seated in the Glentoran stand and he will not have seen anything to unduly concern him ahead of the quarter final tie set for the Sligo Showgrounds.

The game began much the same way as Friday at a lacklustre pace and the Leinster league side once again looked the hungrier of the two sides. The first chance of the game however fell to Derry. In the 8th minute Higgins sliced open Bluebells defence with a pass that found Madden and his inch perfect cross was glanced wide by Rory Patterson.

A minute later the lively Shane Stritch went on a marauding run but his final ball was disappointing allowing Derrys defence to clear. In the 20th minute Derry should have taken the lead. Dean Jarvis picked out Patterson and with just the keeper to beat he managed to scuff his shot well wide.

In the 33rd minute Mark Griffin showed some great skill as he turned and hit a snapshot from the edge of the box forcing McNulty into a fine save. Derry finally broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when a neat one two in the box between Rory Patterson and Barry McNamee saw the striker have plenty of time to rifle home the ball past a despairing McNulty. Derry remained on top until half time with the goal seeming to settle what had up to then been a nervous performance in front of a meagre crowd of 400.

The second half began with the referee Rob Rodgers being replaced by fourth official Rob Harvey due to an ankle injury but the first real chance didn't come until the 55th minute. Once again the ball found its way to the lively Rory Patterson on the left hand side of the box and he turned and shot with the ball cannoning back off the post. In the 67th minute Bluebell should have grabbed an equaliser.

They were awarded a free kick on the right edge of the area and Robert Douglas clipped the ball in and it found the head of the inrushing Peter Sherlock, but his powerful header just grazed the wrong side of Doherty's post.

For the next ten minutes the visitors were putting Derry under heavy pressure but just couldn't create any clear cut scoring opportunities. Finally in the 83rd minute Derry were able to extend their lead all be it due to a mistake from the Leinster side. Rory Patterson went over in the box but the referee said no penalty, the ball was then inexplicably passed out to Barry McNamee by McNulty and the midfielder just passed the ball back into the net to double Derry's advantage.

Bluebell did manage a late and deserved consolation when Dean Jarvis misjudged a long ball and Peter Sherlock was through to toe poke past Doherty.

Bluebell can be very proud of their showings against one of the country's top clubs but Derry, who were kept for a long time in the dressing rooms afterwards, still have a lot of work to do if they want to remain in the frame for the league and stay in the cup.

Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Simon Madden, Barry Molloy (c), Dean Jarvis, Eoghan Osbourne; Paddy Kavanagh (Michael Duffy 65), Patrick McEleney, Ruaidhri Higgins, Barry McNamee; Mark Griffin (David McDaid 72), Rory Patterson (Michael Rafter 87).
Subs not used: Eugene Ferry, Raymond Foy, Ryan Curran, Joshua Tracey.

Booked: P McEleney (70).

Bluebell Utd: Andrew McNulty; Tony Keeler, Andrew Cleary, Peter Sherlock, Mark Rooney; Glen Madden (c) (Darragh Killeen 70), Peter Darcy, John Cleary (Robert Douglas 57), Trevor Molloy (Sean Stewart 57); Shane Stritch, Tony Griffiths.
Subs not used: Shaun French, Shane Fitzpatrick, Mark Hogan.

Booked: Molloy (45), Madden (64), Keeler (90).

Referee: Rob Rogers / Rob Harvey.
Attendance: 400 (estimate).
ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Barry McNamee (Derry City).