League Report: Bray Wanderers 0 - 3 Derry City

Derry City extended their winning streak with a 3-0 victory over Bray Wanderers on Monday evening in the Carlisle Grounds.

 A goal from Aaron Barry and two from Rory Patterson saw Derry City obtain all three points at the end of what has been a turbulent start for the Wicklow club.

Both teams got off to a lively start, and it was Derry City who caused the first concern from a throw in from the left that found Rory Patterson in the box and his shot fired past Peter Cherrie only for the linesman to flag for offside.

Just three minutes later It was eventually a goal for the visitors. Derry had a free-kick on the right hand side that was swung in towards the back post. Again it was Rory Patterson with a powerful drive at Cherrie who parried the ball to Barry McNamee, who in turn chipped to Aaron Barry, who headed past an unsighted Peter Cherrie in the Wanderers net.

The first half continued to go Derry's way. Further long balls over the top from both Dean Jarvis and Niclas Vemmelund caused trouble for Bray stalwarts McNally and Douglas.

Referee Rob Harvey also had his work cut out as heavy challenges from both sides were occurring throughout the half with Alan Byrne, Alan McNally and Robbie Creevy all managing to get booked for Bray.

Towards the end of the first half The Candystripes almost made it two. It was a brilliant lay off from Barry McNamee to Patterson who ran on centre towards the goal but Cherrie made a brilliant save diving to his right to deny the attacker.

The resulting corner was cleared by the Wanderers  defence and Rory Patterson was left with his head in his hands on what was a great chance gone. The first half ended with The Candystripes well on top.

First out from the dressing room were The Seagulls and Mick Cooke's side were looking to get back in the game. It was the men from the north who again had put the ball in the back of the net. This time it was Ronan Curtis that found himself clean in on goal however for the second time in the game Derry's goal was adjudged to be offside

The home side seemed more focused and they began to get into their stride. After 56 Minutes Conor McCormack made a rash tackle on Ryan Brennan just two yards outside the box. The resulting free-kick was taken by Brennan but the Derry City wall done its job and the ball went out for a corner. Ryan Brennan was the fourth Bray player booked after he had his name taken for a tackle on Harry Monaghan in the centre circle.

After 70 minutes Mick Cooke decided to make a double substitution with Curtis Murphy coming in for Jason Marks and Ger Pender on for Mark Salmon.

However almost immediately The Seagulls went two behind. Harry Monaghan sprinted into towards the Bray penalty area and after a quick look up he just rolled the ball to an unmarked Rory Patterson inside the box, with Patterson making no mistake to put the score at 2-0.

Despite going two behind The Seagulls did remain upbeat. Paul Finnegan took a long free-kick and sent the ball high into the Derry box, and frustratingly there was none of The Seagulls forwards on hand to take advantage.

The remaining 10 minutes saw Derry continue to press for another. The Candystripes were eventually awarded with their third goal of the night in the last minute of the contest. Danger man Rory Patterson won a race to the ball with Paul Finnegan and the defender lost his balance hitting the turf. He then rounded Peter Cherrie and finished calmly into an empty net.

Kenny Shields has now guided Derry to two wins in a row, however this home defeat means it a unwanted hat-trick of losses for Bray Wanderers.

Bray Wanderers:  Peter Cherrie; Hugh Douglas, Alan McNally, Jason Marks (Curtis Murphy 70), Alan Byrne; Ryan Brennan, Robbie Creevy, Mark Salmon (Ger Pender 70); Karl Moore (Dylan Connolly 86), Andrew Lewis, Paul Finnegan.

Subs Not Used: Aaron Shannon, Sean Noble, Gareth McDonagh, Troy Carey.

Yellow Cards: McNally (17), Creevy (29), Byrne (35), Brennan (66).

Derry City: Ger Doherty; Niclas Vemmelund, Ryan McBride, Dean Jarvis (Patrick McClean 90); Barry McNamee, Conor McCormack (Keith Ward 88), Harry Monaghhan, Rory Patterson, Gareth McGlynn (Aaron McEneff  79 ), Ronan Curtis, Aaron Barry.

Subs Not Used: Josh Daniels, Nathan Boyle, Mark McElhinney, Aaron McEneff, Jordan Allan.

Yellow Cards: None.

Referee:  Robert Harvey

Attendance: 300 (est)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match:  Rory Patterson (Derry City).

You can see Al Robinson slideshow from the game here.