League Report: Derry City 4 - 0 Sligo Rovers

Goals from Lukas Schubert, Ronan Curtis, Aaron McEneff and Rory Holden helped Derry City to a comprehensive 4-0 win over Sligo Rovers at Maginn Park.

The Sunday afternoon clash between was a huge game for both sides as Derry City needed a win if they were to maintain their fight for European football next season while Sligo had relegation in mind.

Sligo were only a point outside the relegation zone before today’s game and points in Buncrana would give Gerard Lyttle and his side some breathing room.

Both sides struggled to influence the game during the opening minutes and both teams looked fairly nervous. That nervousness came from the most unlikely of people in Gerard Doherty after six minutes.

The Derry goalkeeper made an uncharacteristic mistake by giving the ball straight to Adebayo-Rowling inside the box. The Sligo Rovers defender tried to play a simple pass across the area to striker Jonah Ayunga, but the ball was cleared by the Derry defence.

Sligo maintain their good play for the next period of the game, but lacked serious quality in their play. Things could take a while to gel at the Bit O' Red after the club sold Kieran Saldier to Cork City earlier this week.

Derry's first major chance came after 23 minutes when Lukas Schubert made a commanding run inside the Sligo penalty area.

The Austrian played a superb square ball across the box, which was heading straight for Rory Patterson. The Strabane man was set for the shot but he completely made a hash of it, missing the ball completely.

Two minutes later the new Sligo boy Rhys McCabe showed some of the quality he will bring to Sligo in the future. The former Rangers midfielder, with a fantastic piece of vision, executed a fantastic ball behind the Derry defence and Ayunga was one on one with Doherty.

However the Kenyan couldn't get to the ball before the Derry goalkeeper and the Foylesiders got away lightly.

The Candystripes were struggling to get the ball forward to Rory Patterson, who was making only his second league start since returning from a long-term ankle injury.

However, they almost didn't need him when new boy Darren Cole volleyed a thunder strike on the edge of the box, but Schlingermann made an excellent save again.

The deadlock was broken just after the half hour mark by Schubert. The Austrian was there to rebound the ball into the back of the net after a fantastic effort by McEneff.

After the interval, it didn't get much better for Sligo Rovers, and they started playing like a relegation team.

After 51 minutes, Curtis jumped fantastically inside the box and headed the ball towards the net, but Schlingerman made another fantastic stop.

For most of the second half, Sligo weere a complete shambles. The Bit o' Red was giving The Candystripes far too much space in the midfield and there was no shape at all from Sligo, much to the frustration of manager Gerard Lyttle.

Derry City doubled their lead on 62 minutes. Patterson found Curtis looming on the far side of the box and the winger, after a fantastic touch, had an effort on goal. Schlingermann made himself big to stop it, but the Irish goalkeeper couldn't stop Curtis' second effort.

There was more joy for the Derry faithful as Rory Holden scored his first goal for the Candystripes with a brilliant individual effort just minutes from the final whistle.

It’s a fantastic 4-0 win for Kenny Shiels and his young Derry side and they go two points behind Bray Wanderers with a game in hand.

Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Dean Jarvis, Darren Cole, Aaron McEneff, Nicky Low; Barry McNamee (Rory Holden 78), Harry Monaghan (Nathan Boyle 45), Ronan Curtis (Joshua Daniels 81), Rory Patterson, Ben Doherty, Lukas Schubert.

Subs not used: Eric Grimes; Mark Timlin, Scot Whiteside, Eoin Toal.

Booked: Harry Monaghan (10) Nathan Boyle (85).

Sligo Rovers: Micheál Schlingermann; Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Regan Donelon, Mich Leahy, Kyle McFadden, Seamus Sharkey (Gary Armstrong 46), Daniels Kearns, Raffaelo Creataro, Gary Boylan, Rhys McCabe (Chris Kenny 78), Jonah Ayunga (Mickael Place 64).

Subs not used: Shaun Patton; Craig Rodden, John Mahon, Jack Keaney.

Booked: Rhys McCabe (14).

Referee: Paul Tuite.

Attendance: 600 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Nicky Low (Derry City).