Bray Wanderers 0 - 4 Derry City

Derry City made it two wins from two after a comfortable 4-0 victory over Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds on Friday evening. Three first half goals set them on their way after Bray ‘keeper Darren Quigley was dismissed in controversial circumstances.

If last week’s victory over Bohemians was a hard earned three points then this game was a straight forward affair as Declan Devine’s men continue their fine early season form.

The visitors bossed proceedings from the outset as they searched for their first victory at the Carlisle Grounds in three visits. It didn’t take long for the Candystripes to get into their stride as Stephen McLaughlin looked menacing down the left causing the Bray back-line problems all evening. And it was the McLaughlin who had the first real sight of goal as his volley from Ruaidhri Higgins’ cross was well stopped by Bray shot stopper Quigley.

Declan Devine’s men turned their dominance into a deserved breakthrough after twenty minutes as Simon Madden’s pin point free kick from the right found Stewart Greacen all alone inside the six yard box to head home past Quigley. They doubled their lead just six minutes later as Ger Doherty’s long clearance hung up in the wind which allowed David McDaid to latch onto it and lob the on rushing Quigley.

Moments earlier the home side had strong penalty appeals turned down as Jason Byrne’s cross seemed to striker Greacen’s hand in the box but referee Buttimer waved away the appeals as Derry broke and scored.

Any hopes of an unlikely Bray comeback were all but extinguished ten minutes before the break as Derry swept forward yet again down the left. Rory Patterson was felled in the box, it seemed, by Pierce Sweeney but the referee showed ‘keeper Quigley a red card instead. Sustitute ‘keeper Brian Kane’s first task was to pick the ball out of his net after Patterson dusted himself down to convert coolly from the spot.

Bray improved slightly after the interval but in truth it was down to Derry taking their foot off the gas. Pat Devlin’s side have yet to register a goal this season and remain pointless after two games but the one bright spark came from Kieran “Marty” Waters whose reputation continues to grow. He came close to reducing the deficit in the final quarter with a fine solo run which resulted in him seeing his effort come back off the inside of the post before Adam Hanlon blasted the rebound over.

Derry completed the victory with a wonderfully worked goal as Patterson was once again set free down the right before he cut inside Dane Massey to slot the ball past Kane with the outside of his right boot.

Quigley’s sending off hampered the home side massively but despite the result they can take some heart from a battling second half performance which saw them test Ger Doherty on a few occasions. The Seagulls visit UCD next week in search of their first point of the season while Derry travel to Dublin again to face Shelbourne.

Bray Wanderers: Darren Quigley; Daire Doyle, Pierce Sweeney (Graham Kelly 45), Dane Massey, Sean Houston; Adam Hanlon, Dean Zambra, Danny O’Connor, Kevin Knight (Brian Kane 33); Jason Byrne (Anthony Bolger 83), Kieran Waters.

Subs not used: John Mulroy, Adam Mitchell, Jonathan Kelty, Conor Butler.

Bookings: None.

Sendings Off:  Quigley (33)

Derry City: Ger Doherty; Simon Madden, Stewart Greacen, Shane McEleney, Dermot McCaffrey; Stephen McLaughlin (Ryan Curran 76), Barry Molloy, Ruaidhri Higgins, Pat McEleney (Mark Farren 64); Rory Patterson, David McDaid (Owen Morrison 76)

Subs not used: Eddie McCallion, Eugene Ferry, Ryan McBride, Matt Crossan.

Bookings: S McEleney (78’)

Referee: Anthony Buttimer

Attendance: 300 (estimate).

extratime.ie Man of the Match: Rory Patterson - He was a threat to the Bray defence all evening and capped a fine performance with two goals.