Bohemians 0 - 4 Derry City

Derry City had to battle extremely hard to emerge from Dalymount Park with a victory against what was, despite the final score, an unlucky Bohemians team. Their four-nil win means the Candystripes move two points behind leaders Sligo Rovers before their game on Saturday night.

The Gypsies made the first foray into the Derry box after four minutes. Luke Byrne went on a surging run which ended with a Derry defender blocking his path in the penalty box. The crowd appealed for a penalty but given how quickly Byrne got back to his feet it was clear he did not feel too aggrieved.

Bohs continued their bright start and had another chance on 11 minutes. Luke Byrne was again involved as his pass found Ciaran Nangle; his shot-cum-pass just evaded the heads of Kevin Devaney and David Scully.

However, three minutes later disaster struck for Bohs as against the run of play they fell behind. Just like the previous Friday night when Aaron Greene struck for Sligo, Bohs were the victim of a wonder goal. This time it was Patrick McEleney of Derry with a 25 yard strike which left Dean Delany in the Bohs goal with no chance.

Despite this set-back Bohemians continued to push forward and dominated possession for large parts of the half. Dave Scully had a long range effort palmed around the post on 20 minutes in what was the first save Gerard Doherty had to make in the Derry goal.

Bohemians lack of threat in the final third was to be cruelly exposed on 26 minutes by a clinical Derry side. Simon Madden crossed from the right to Michael Rafter who finished coolly. Disappointingly for Bohs manager Aaron Callaghan both Derry players seemed to have considerable time in the box to create and dispatch the goal.

Bohs did have a half-chance on 31 minutes but the scuffed shot by Dave Mulcahy was typical of Bohs night and their season in front of goal.

Derry had a lucky escape on 41 minutes when a Bohs corner almost fell to Kevin Devaney with the goal gaping. He failed to connect with the ball under close attention from the Derry defence in what was the last significant moment of the first-half.

Bohemians needed to change things in the second half and Aaron Callaghan decided to push Kevin Devaney into a more advanced position to support Dave Scully. The first opening of the second half arrived in the 48^th minute but it was fashioned by Derry when a Higgins free which had Delaney scrambling in the Bohs goal went just wide.

The Dublin side tried to force their way back into the game and they had a number of half chances in the opening exchanges of the second half. Despite Bohemians dominating the possession statistics their shots on target count remained low. Kevin Devaney had a long range attempt on 64 minutes but his effort sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.

The Gypsies were dominant but Derry continued to be dangerous on the counter attack. One such break led to a free kick just outside the box for Derry on 72 minutes. Barry McNamee’s effort went just over the bar and Bohs managed to just stay alive in the game. This reprieve lasted only three minutes for the Phibsboro side as they found themselves three behind to a goal by Ryan McBride.

After pandemonium in the Bohs box from a Derry corner the ball fell to Barry McNamee. His lob was headed off the line by Derek Pender but only as far as Ryan McBride whose header found the back of the net.

The nightmare continued for the Gypsies as they went 4 – 0 down two minutes later. Barry McNamee was put through on goal by a Michal Rafter pass and he slotted home to give the scoreline an extremely flattering complexion.

Despite the scoreline Bohs continued to look for a goal to restore some pride in front of their home fans. Kevin Devaney, Dave Mulcahy and Derek Pender all had chances in the closing minutes of the game but they couldn’t convert any of these as Derry preserved their clean sheet.

So Bohemians lose at home for the second week in a row as their mixed start to the season continues. Derry took the long trip home content with a win that keeps them as one of the league’s early pace setters.

Bohemians: Dean Delany; Derek Pender, Roberto Lopes, Stephen Paisley, Luke Byrne; Ciaran Nangle (Karl Moore 77), Ryan McEvoy, Stephen Traynor (Keith Buckley 46), Dave Mulcahy; Dave Scully, Kevin Devaney.
Subs not used: Greg Murray (GK), Shane Murray, Dwyane Wilson, Conor O’Brien , Andy Mulligan.

Bookings: Ryan McEvoy (47).

Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Simon Madden, Shane McEleney, Ryan McBride, Thomas Crawley (Dermot McCaffrey 83); Patrick Kavanagh (Michael Duffy 79), Barry Molloy, Ruaidhri Higgins, Patrick McEleney; Barry McNamee, Michael Rafter (Mark Griffin 80).
Subs not used: James Gallagher (GK), Ryan Curran, Tony McNamee, Conall Kelly.

Bookings: None

Referee: Anthony Buttimer.

Attendance: 1,000 (estimate)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Michael Rafter (Derry City).