REPORT: Linfield 3 - 1 Derry City

It was always going to be a tough Setanta night for Derry City, travelling to Windsor to face last years beaten finalists Linfield. Derry had yet to beat their hosts in this competition previously only managing three draws and a defeat.

Both managers had intimated before the game that they would rotate their squads for the clash, as the league was their main concern. Sitting at the top of the Carnegie Premier with 8 games to go and Cliftonville snapping at their heels, Linfield have it all to lose domestically. Similarly for Derry having escaped Belfield on Friday with all three points, thanks only to a late winner from captain Hutton, an early indication for Derry of how toughly competitive the league will be this year.

On the night, Derry were caught up against a team who simply didn't allow them to play football. Linfield had a better game plan, they were better organised and they were a lot stronger than their Eircom League counterparts. Derry will have learned the folly of resting players against the cream of the Irish League. The football on display was not for the purists but that's not to say it was without incident.

The game kicked-off with a tentative opening few minutes as no team wanted to give away any ground to their opposition. Soon however Linfield had a chance from which the Derry skipper, Peter Hutton, did well to clear his lines. It could have been read as an early indication of how the game was to pass. Derry were nervous and Linfield could smell blood - it was only a matter of time.

On the 23rd minute, Linfield's Thomas Stewart and Derry's Clive Delaney contrived to open the scoring when the Blueman's header struck the hapless defenders shoulder to wrong foot Gerard Doherty before finding the net. The Derry defender found himself to be completely out of his considerable depth most of the night.

Derry struggled to find their way back into the game but life was made difficult for them as obscure decision followed obscured decision and many heads will have been scratched as the referee found fault with much of Derry's endeavor.

On 40 minutes, the game seemed to be over as a contest as Derry never seemed to find their feet and Peter Thompson was able to take advantage of a tired defensive display to make it 2-0 - a fine cross from Mark Dickson placed neatly into the corner by the prolific striker.

There was just enough time left for a bad tempered flare up in the Linfield box as Delaney seemed to be pushed over as he rose to meet a Higgins corner. A 15 man shoving match ensued but no cards were produced for what could probably be described as nothing more than handbags at dawn.

The second half continued much as the first had finished with Linfield finding plenty of space to work through Derry. However McCourt was introduced to the fray and for long spells Derry's straggly haired wizard seemed like he might be able to produce some magic. He at least drove at the Linfield defence every chance he got. McGlynn also helped to bring some urgency when he was brought on in the 64th minute.

Ciaran Martyn gave a glimmer of hope to the City faithful on 79minutes as he slid home a Higgins low drive to reduce the deficit. However this was shortly followed by the most dubious penalty decision since, well, the last one. The replays have shown there was no contact made but that wont have bothered Ferguson who coolly put the game to bed, lifting the ball into the top right hand corner. The mismatch was well and truly over.

Stephen Kenny has given his reasons for the change in personnel but perhaps he has underestimated how important a fixture like this is to the fans and Derry were deservedly punished for a performance that wont be giving Drogheda, Bohs or Cork any sleepless nights. Last night's defeat was a bitter pill to swallow so it's back to the drawing board for Kenny. It is a difficult task ahead picking up the mess that Fenlon and Robertson left behind but Rome wasn't built in a day and it'll take more than this woeful display to shake the fans unflappable confidence in Kenny "the King of Kings".

Linfield: Alan Mannus; Stephen Douglas, Kris Lindsay, Michael Gault, Timothy McCann; Conor Downey (William Murphy 39), Oran Kearney (Glenn Ferguson 56), Jamie Mulgrew (Jim Ervin 79); Mark Dickson, Peter Thompson, Thomas Stewart.

Derry City: Ger Doherty; Eddie McCallion, Peter Hutton, Clive Delaney (Barry Molloy 64), Steven Gray; Niall McGinn, Ruaidhri Higgins, Ciaran Martyn, Owen Morrison (Gareth McGlynn 64); Kevin McHugh, Connor Sammon (Paddy McCourt 46).

Referee: Dave McKeon.