Bray Wanderers 1 - 2 Derry City

• Niall Farrell
• Fri, Jul 15 2011




Derry City kept up their winning ways with a victory in the Carlisle Grounds on Friday night with goals from Eamon Zayed and Daniel Lafferty getting all three points for the Candystripes.

Derry didn't have it all their own way though, with Bray having most of the good play in the opening and closing stages of the match. John Mulroy got a goal for the Seagulls a minute into injury time but it wasn't enough to stop Pat Devlin's side slumping to their fifth defeat in six games.

Bray almost had a dream start, with Ger Doherty producing a fine point blank save to deny Chris Shields a goal. Shields headed at goal from point-blank range after Shane O'Neill crossed well. 

It was a stuttering start for the visitors, with Bray keen to counter-attack. The Seagulls repeatedly launched balls over the top of the Derry defence, encouraging Shane O'Neill and John Mulroy to run on to them. The Derry defence looked shaky at times, particularly when Daniel Lafferty pushed up the pitch, but Stuart Greacen was able to repel all that Bray threw at him. 

Lafferty was effective down the left flank and had a chance of his own after 22 minutes, heading over after getting to a free-kick about ten yards from goal. Derry followed up with another chance, Gareth McGlynn putting in a low free-kick which Greacen got a touch on, the ball ending up just wide of Matt Gregg's post with the Bray 'keeper looking beaten. 

McGlynn missed a glorious opportunity ten minutes before half-time after Ruaidhri Higgins started a wonderful passing move in midfield. Daniel Lafferty tore up the left wing and then passed short for McGlynn, just ten yards from goal. McGlynn's shot was, again, well over.

Three minutes before the break John Mulroy should have made more of a great chance when a Bray free-kick was headed down by Greacen but the Bray striker hit his first-time shot over the bar.

Derry had most of the ball in the early stages of the second half, but didn't take their chances. They always looked threatening despite with the wind playing a big part in some off-target passing. Their expansive style of play and ability to stretch the Seagulls defence meant that they were able to make plenty of chances. 

Four were off-target in the opening minutes of the half though. On 66 minutes Derry went very close with Lafferty's cross spinning off Derek Prendergast and falling just over the Bray goal.

The goal did eventually come for Derry, despite Bray's resistance. After a Bray attack, Ruaidhri Higgins played a long ball for James McClean wide on the left. McClean skillfully turned inside Sean Houston and put the ball across for Eamon Zayed to score with a diving header. 

Lafferty was truly exceptional on the night and got himself on the scoresheet for Bray's second goal. On 73 minutes McClean put in a good corner for Lafferty to take down with his head and finish well. After that goal the Candystripes controlled the match and Bray looked unlikely to create any chances for themselves. 

Late on, the home side attempted to make a comeback, with Derry switching off in the last five minutes. Gerard Doherty had to make a good save in the 87th minute with his fingertips from a Gareth McGlynn free-kick. Eamon Zayed shot just wide seconds later. 

In the first minute of injury time, John Mulroy, the standout player for Bray on the night, scored from a header but it was a consolation goal as Derry came away with a deserved win. 

Bray Wanderers: Matt Gregg; Shane O'Connor, Derek Prendergast, Adam Mitchell, Sean Houston; Daire Doyle (Dan McGuinness '77), Danny O'Connor (Graham Kelly '72), Chris Shields, Dane Massey (Jake Kelly '62); Shane O'Neill, John Mulroy.
Subs not used: Brian Kane, David Webster, Conor Butler, Dean Zambra.

Bookings: Shields (8), S O'Neill (40), McGuinness (82).

Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Shane McEleney, Stewart Greacen, Ryan McBride, Daniel Lafferty; Gareth McGlynn, Barry Molloy, Ruaidhri Higgins (Ruairi Harkin '80), James McClean; Patrick McEleney (Stephen McLaughlin '89), Eamon Zayed.
Subs Not Used: Eugene Ferry, Eddie McCallion, Emmett Friars, David McDaid.

Bookings: Lafferty (13), McGlynn (53).

Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin).
Attendance: 1,000 (estimate).
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Daniel Lafferty.