Derry City 2 - 0 Finn Harps

• Aidan O'Donnell
• Mon, May 10 2010


Derry City advanced to the third round of the EA Sports League Cup on Monday night after seeing off the challenge of northwest rivals Finn Harps at the Brandywell.

First half strikes from Emmet Friars and Mark Farren paved the way for Derry’s second win over the Donegal side in little less than a week after the First Division league leaders also won last Tuesday night’s league encounter.

Derry made wholesale changes from the side that played last Tuesday with left back Emmet Friars the only player remaining from the 2-0 win. Harps, on the other hand, had no such room for modifications, although five players – Gary Whoriskey, Oisin McMenamin, Mark Forker, Fintan Bonner and Stephen McLaughlin – still came into the fray that weren’t involved from the start last week.

The personnel alterations paved the way for a more even contest, although the game lacked a bit of bite, especially in the first-half.

Not for the first time this season, Harps produced a decent performance but were let down by moments of defensive lapses in concentration.

Vinny Sweeney had the first attempt when Harps failed to clear a corner in the eighth minute, the striker unable to keep his half-volley below the crossbar.

The Donegal side then created a number of openings the first of which needed Friars timely intervention to deny McLaughlin a clear run on goal, while McHugh had an effort on goal blocked down well by Darren Cassidy.

On nineteen minutes, Fintan Bonner was put through on goal after McHugh and McLaughlin done well to make the space in behind the Derry rearguard. The winger, though, was forced wide by the backtracking Derry defenders, and his shot back across goal was blocked fantastically by full-back Andrew Devlin.

Moments later and Derry were denied the breakthrough after Farren had headed over the advancing Liam Mailey only for James Doherty showing awareness to get back in time to clear. Mattie Crossan then had a header forced wide by Ferry, while Farren was getting ever closer, his shot from a Sweeney lay-off fading away to the left.

The breakthrough arrived in the thirty-fourth minute after some slack defending from the visitors allowed Emmet Friars to easily get on the end of a Darren Coyle in-swinger.

Less than ten minutes later and the hosts doubled their advantage after Packie Mailey was robbed of possession in midfield by Vinny Sweeney. The Derry attacker then released Clarke down the left side and after he shrugged off the attentions of Doherty to cross, Farren got ahead of Matthew Crossan to flick beyond the helpless ‘keeper.

Each side made adjustments at the break with David McDaid coming on for Farren, and Johnny Lafferty and Marc Brolly replacing Bonner and McMenamin, respectively.

Harps began the second period with real intent, creating a number of notable efforts within a short space of time.

James Doherty got to the byline and after his drag-back took a deflection, Eugene Ferry needed to be fully alert to stretch out and tuck behind for a corner. Then a minute later, Whoriskey pulled back from the opposite byline only for Shane McEleney to intervene and deny McHugh a simple tap-in. McHugh was then handed a golden opportunity after Lafferty flicked the ball back into his path, and with just the 'keeper to beat, the forward miss-kicked from only four yards out.

The chances kept arriving for Harps as Derry’s defence began to look far from impenetrable. Doherty again got down the right side before cutting back for Lafferty, who then shot straight at Ferry with his weaker right foot.

Harps last chance of pulling one back came seven minutes from time when Crossan floated a lovely weighted ball over the top of the flatfooted Derry defence. McLaughlin then raced clear from an onside position and just when he thought he had only the ‘keeper to beat, Friars got back in time to produce a wonderful block.

Derry City: Eugene Ferry; Andrew Devlin, Shane McEleney, Emmet Friars, Darren Cassidy; Vincent Sweeney, Darren Coyle, James Henry, Thomas McBride, Adam Clarke; Mark Farren.
Subs: David McDaid (Farren, 46 mins), Patrick McEleney (Coyle, 64 mins).

Finn Harps: Liam Mailey; James Doherty, Packie Mailey, Matthew Crossan, Gary Whoriskey; Oisin McMenamin, Michael Funston, Mark Forker, Fintan Bonner; Kevin McHugh, Stephen McLaughlin.
Subs: Marc Brolly (Bonner, 46 mins), Johnny Lafferty (Menamin, 46 mins).

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).