League Report: Derry City 3 - 2 Waterford

Odhrán Crumley reports from the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

View photo gallery from Clare McCahill and John-Paul McGinley

Declan Devine stated at the start of the season that one of his aims was to make the Brandywell a fortress once again.

After two games at the Lonemoor Road venue that record remains intact as both UCD and Waterford were put to the sword.

On this occasion, it was a fine strike from Ciaron Harkin and two own goals that sealed the victory in a rollercoaster encounter.

In truth, if the Candystripes had have taken their chances the scoreline could have been wider and a nervy four minutes of injury time could have been avoided.

There was just thirteen minutes on the clock when Derry penalised the Munster men with a devastating counter-attack.

At one end, Peter Cherrie denied Zachary Elbouzedi after a defence splitting pass from JJ Lunney.

Cherrie immediately set his side on the attack, Junior slipping the ball to Harkin on the edge of the area and the homeboy sent a thunderbolt into the bottom right corner of the net to give his team the lead.

Ten minutes before the break, David Parkhouse really should have doubled his sides advantage.

Parkhouse pounced on a defensive mix-up and found himself one on one with Matthew Connor, but the latter stifled the attack and stopped what many assumed to be a sure goal.

Derry led by the minimum at the break, but disaster would strike on the hour mark.

Darren Cole fouled Bastien Hery in the area and Neil Doyle pointed to the spot much to the frustration of the Derry bench.

Shane Duggan paid no attention as he stepped up to take the kick, sending Cherrie the wrong way and slotting the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.

Fifteen minutes later, the Candystripes attacked down the right, Patrick McClean firing an inviting cross, across the face of goal, forcing Rory Feely to direct the ball into his own net.

Aidy Delap came close to extending the lead before a fine, flowing passing move saw Derry make it 3-1.

Parkhouse, Harkin and Junior combined as the latter’s cross was deflected into his own net by George Poynton for a second own goal.

The drama wouldn’t conclude there as Cory Galvin sent a simply sensational long range strike into the top corner of the net to set up a nervy finish.

Despite the nerves that began to engulf the compounds of the stadium, the sizeable home crowd rose in noise as their team held out for a massive three points.

Derry City: Peter Cherrie; Darren Cole, Eoin Toal, Ally Gilchrist, Patrick McClean; Ciaron Harkin (Gerardo Bruna 87), Greg Sloggett, Barry McNamee; Michael McCrudden (Aidy Delap 70); David Parkhouse, Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe.

Subs not Used: Nathan Gartside, Ciaron Coll, Evan Tweed, Eoghan Stokes, Josh Kerr.

Yellow Cards: Gerardo Bruna (95)

Waterford FC: Matthew Connor; Rory Feely, Kenny Browne, Damian Delaney, Kevin Lynch (George Poynton 30); JJ Lunney, Shane Duggan, Bastien Hery; Aaron Drinan (Ismail Akinade 63), Scott Twine (Cory Galvin 57), Zachary Elbouzedi.

Subs not Used: Huho Ketro, Maxim Kouogun, Dean Walsh, Shane Griffin.

Yellow Cards: Rory Feely (69).

Referee: Neil Doyle

Attendance: 3,000 (Estimate)

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Ciaron Harkin (Derry City)