League Report: Derry City 3 - 1 Bohemians

Odhrán Crumley reports from the Brandywell Stadium

Derry City extended their impressive winning streak to seven as they put an awkward Bohemians side to the sword, thanks to goals from Aaron McEneff, Rory Patterson and Nicky Low.

Paddy Kavanagh was given a straight red card for Bohemians early in the second half, after Dylan Watts had equalised, and Derry took full advantage to ensure a comfortable victory.

Since returning to the redeveloped Brandywell the Candystripes are yet to drop a point, winning all five games at the Lonemoor Road venue.

Blustery conditions engulfed the area for the duration of the game making it very difficult for either side to play football, contributing to some scrappy periods of play.

Bohemians held the wind advantage for the first half and pinned Derry inside their own half in the early stages without actually creating anything.

Watts tried to thread Dinny Corcoran in on two separate occasions but the wind took the ball right through to the hands of Gerard Doherty.

Derry grew into the game as they came to terms with on-field conditions and got the ball down and played.

With the first real chance of the game, McEneff opened the scoring, in the 26th minute.

City broke through Nicky Low who played in Ronan Hale. Shane Supple appeared to bring the younger Hale down but no penalty was awarded.

Derry regained possession and worked the ball across to McEneff, who cut inside before firing into the bottom left corner of the net.

Straight from the restart Watts had a shot from the centre circle. But six minutes later he would restore parity.

Watts showed real pace to get in behind the Derry defence after a square high ball caught them out allowing Watts to flick over the onrushing Gerard Doherty and into the net.

Kenny Shiels’ men looked for an instant response Ronan Curtis’ header hitting Supple and staying out of the net despite the stopper knowing very little about the effort.

As the clock ticked towards half time, McEneff found Ronan Hale with a wonderful disguised pass.

Hale took a wonderful first touch before firing a fine effort at goal which cannoned back off, of the joints with the keeper rooted to the spot.

Over half time the wind grew stronger and it would be the home side that would play with this advantage in the second half.

Once again the conditions would contribute to large periods of scrappy play around the middle as both teams battled for possession.

Ten minutes into the second half Keith Long’s men would be reduced to ten men as Paddy Kavanagh saw red for a reckless two-footed challenge on Curtis.

60 seconds later, Rory Patterson would give his side the lead when he fired a rebound into the net after Supple parried Ronan Hale’s initial effort.

From here, Shiels’ men really took over playing some really eye-catching passing football.

One such passage of play culminating in McEneff coming desperately close cutting in from the right just shooting beyond the far post.

It was the home side who remained in the ascendancy despite being ahead, winning three corners in a row.

One saw Dan Byrne head Curtis’ volleyed effort bravely over the bar before Supple saved the final Peers header on the line.

Four minutes of additional time had just begun when Jamie McDonagh crossed for John Cofie but Dan Casey got across to put the attacker off.

With literally the last action of the game, Nicky Low got in behind, rounding the keeper to score putting the icing firmly on the cake with his first ever Derry City goal.

It’s seven wins on the bounce for Derry as they travel to Oriel Park on Friday night fresh off the back of a 3-1 win.

Derry City: Gerard Doherty, Darren Cole, Eoin Toal, Gavin Peers, Jack Doyle, Ronan Curtis, Rory Hale, Aaron McEneff, Nicky Low, Ronan Hale (Jamie McDonagh 73), Rory Patterson (John Cofie 82).

Subs not used: Eric Grimes, Cathal Farren, Ben Doherty, Scot Whiteside, Niall Logue.

Booked: Ronan Curtis (65)

Bohemians: Shane Supple, Darragh Leahy, Dan Casey, Dan Byrne, Karl Moore (Kevin Devaney 87), Philip Gannon, Dinny Corcoran (Eoghan Stokes 61), Paddy Kavanagh, Keith Buckley, JJ Luney (Andy Lyons 68), Dylan Watts.

Subs not used: Colin McCabe, Keith Ward, Ian Morris, Paddy Kirk.

Booked: Daniel Byrne (45), Dan Casey (50)

Sent off: Paddy Kavanagh (56)

Referee: Robert Rogers.

Attendance: TBC

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