- Jamie Mahon
- Sat, Sep 22 2012
UCD gained their first win over Derry City since 2007 as a lacklustre Derry side continued their woeful league form at the Brandywell on Friday evening. Barry McCabe and David McMillan were on target for the visitors whilst Kevin Deery scored Derry's consolation goal. The win gave the Students their fifth league win in six games and few would say it was undeserved.
The match began at a frenetic pace and as early as the third minute the visitors should have had the lead. A sloppy backpass from Shane McEleney allowed David McMillan a one on one with Doherty but he blasted his shot over the bar when he should have done better.
A minute later McMillan had another effort parried by Doherty as UCD settled quicker into the game. In the 5th minute a measured ball from McNamee found Marc Brolly who cut the ball back to David McDaid but his effort was off target when he should have done better.
The game settled down into a midfield battle after this and it wasn't until the 27th minute when another chance materialised. Ruaidhri Higgins chipped a delightful ball through to Barry Molloy but he couldn't keep his shot down.
In the 31st minute the impressive Hugh Douglas evaded Dermot McCaffrey but his fizzed cross was unable to be met by any of his forwards. UCD broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when Derry's offside trap failed miserably allowing Barry McCabe to finish beautifully off the post past Gerard Doherty.
Derry seemed to be asleep at the beginning of the restart as immediately from the kick off the away team doubled their advantage. From the centre, the ball was swept out to the right where McMillan caught McCaffrey napping and he blasted it past Doherty much to the goalkeepers chagrin.
Derry replaced Owen Morrison with Conor Murphy in the 52nd minute and immediately scored from a corner. Marc Brolly crossed and Kevin Deery was on hand to head home and half the lead. UCD were still posing problems and McMillan again forced Doherty into a smart save in the 56th minute. In the 71st minute a surging run from Marc Brolly ended in a tame shot which Barron easily dealt with.
Derry almost grabbed a late equaliser which would have been harsh on UCD in the 4th minute of added time. Barry McNamee controlled the ball well and crossed but Stewart Greacen couldn't apply the finish the build up deserved.
The referee then blew for full time to a chorus of boos from the home fans. All in all it was a poor performance from the home side and the visitors were worthy winners in the end. Martin Russell will be delighted with his sides current form but Declan Devine will surely be feeling the pressure as his sides campaign stutters towards a mid table finish.
Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Barry Molloy (c), Shane McEleney, Stewart Greacen, Dermot McCaffrey; Marc Brolly (Michael Duffy 73), Barry McNamee, Ruaidhri Higgins (Kevin Deery 46), Owen Morrison (Conor Murphy 52); Mark Farren, David McDaid.
Subs not used: Eugene Ferry, Ryan Curran, Michael Barr, Caoimhin Bonner.
Booked: None.
UCD: Ger Barron; Hugh Douglas, Mick Leahy, David O'Connor, Ciaran Nangle; Dean Clarke (Gtaham Rusk 88), Paul O'Conor, Robbie Benson (James Kvanagh 88), Barry McCabe, Daniel Ledwith; David McMillan (Chris Mulhall 84).
Subs not used: Mark McGinley, Tomas Boyle, Gary Burke, Chris Lyons, Chris Mulhall.
Booked: D O'Connor (62), Kavanagh (90).
Referee: Dave McKeon.
Attendance: 800 (est).
ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: David McMillan (UCD).
