- Odhrán Crumley
- Fri, Jul 19 2019
Odhrán Crumley reports from the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium
Goals either side of half-time from Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe and Jamie McDonagh and a wonder-strike from Jack Malone sealed all three points for Derry City against Sligo Rovers.
The Candystripes put last week’s frustrating scoreless draw at home to UCD behind them, with Sligo Rovers the victims of their backlash.
Prior to the planned kick-off everyone inside the Brandywell was left pondering whether or not they would get to see a game due to a fault with a floodlight.
Forty minutes later than billed the action got underway with the aforementioned floodlight eventually showing signs of life.
If the Candystripes were keen to put last week’s misses behind them the first chance of the game did little to vanish those demons.
Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe skinned Kyle McFadden on the left flank picking out David Parkhouse in the middle, only for the striker to direct the ball over the top when a goal seemed the obvious outcome.
Minutes later, the Derry dominance led to another chance for David Parkhouse, but he could only hit his effort straight into the hands of Edward McGinty in the Sligo goal.
The Connacht men could have taken the lead with their first attacking passage of play. Ronan Murray threaded Romeo Parkes through on goal, but themidfielder’s effort was matched by Peter Cherrie.
The Candystripes eventually put the frustration of last week’s 0-0 draw with UCD behind them with a fine individual goal.
Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe glided through the Sligo rear-guard in the area before clipping the ball into the back of the net, via the post.
Declan Devine’s men took a deserved one goal advantage in at the break.
The second stanza was merely 40 seconds old when the home team doubled their lead.
Junior left his man for a bag of chips before picking out McDonagh in the area, with the winger firing the ball into the top corner of the net.
Neither side threatened as the home team held possession in a composed manner waiting for their moment to pounce.
That chance would arrive, and it was taken in emphatic fashion by academy product, Jack Malone.
The youngster sent a thundering effort into the net from outside the area with the pride in his face and around the stadium clearly visible.
In the end, it was an invaluable three points to get Derry back on track moving to within two points of third placed Bohs, ahead of the North-West El Classico next week away to Finn Harps.
Derry City: Peter Cherrie; Ally Gilchrist, Ciaran Coll, Darren Cole; Greg Sloggett (Michael McCrudden, 82), Jamie McDonagh, Ciaron Harkin, Gerardo Bruna; David Parkhouse, Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe (Darren McCauley, 75), Conor Davis (Jack Malone, 63).
Subs not used: Jack Parke, Mark McChrystal, Nathan Gartside, Eoghan Stokes.
Booked: Jamie McDonagh (55)
Sligo Rovers: Edward McGinty; Kyle McFadden, John Mahon, Danny Kane, Lewis Banks; Daryl Fordyce, John Dunleavy, Sam Warde (Kris Twardek, 58); Romeo Parkes, Ronan Murray (Regan Donelon, 73), Rónán Coughlan.
Subs not used: Ryan Smith, Brian Morley, Luke McNicholas, Scott Lynch, Liam Kerrigan.
Booked: Kyle McFadden (22), Danny Kane (35), Ronan Coughlan (45), Daryl Fordyce (48), Lewis Banks (56)
Referee: Damian McGraith
Attendance: 2,000 (estimate)
ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe (Derry City)
