- Odhrán Crumley
- Mon, Jul 29 2019
Odhrán Crumley reports from the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium
Derry City bounced back from Friday nights abysmal showing in their 1-0 loss at Finn Park to comfortably dispose of Waterford on Monday evening.
David Parkhouse rattled the net twice in the 2-0 win with goals pulled right out of the top drawer.
First, he finished a move that would not have looked out of place in the Nou Camp, before a long range wonder-strike to seal a victory that moves Derry to within two points of Bohemians in their pursuit of European football in 2020.
The first chance of the game fell to an unlikely candidate as City defender Ciaran Coll found himself in the opposition box.
Jamie McDonagh’s ball across the box found Coll but the full back could only shoot over the bar.
It wouldn’t be long before the home team took the lead though and from a move of the highest quality.
Gerardo Bruna perfect pass switched the emphasis of the attack to Coll on the left.
His cross appeared to hang in the air for an eternity before being headed home by Parkhouse over the top of Matthew Connor in the Waterford goal.
The Derry magic would continue just before the break as the home team doubled their advantage.
Parkhouse got his second of the game, shrugging off his man before unleashing a thunderbolt into the net from all of 30 yards.
Declan Devine’s men took that comfortable 2-0 lead into the break after a thoroughly impressive 45 minutes.
Derry dominance ran into the second stanza but Parkhouse missed up on the chance to get a hat-trick.
McDonagh was the creator once again finding his striker, but the close range effort was fired down the throat of Matthew Connor before being easily cleared.
Grant Gillespie almost capped his Brandywell debut with a memorable solo goal, drifting past three before dragging his shot wide of the left post.
The Candystripes will hope to carry the momentum into Friday night’s round of league fixtures with the race for Europe heating up as they travel to take on UCD.
Derry City: Peter Cherrie; Ally Gilchrist, Ciaran Coll, Darren Cole, Eoin Toal; Gerardo Bruna, Jamie McDonagh, Barry McNamee (Ciaron Harkin, 62), Greg Sloggett; Michael McCrudden (Grant Gillespie, 67), David Parkhouse (Conor Davis, 82).
Subs not used: Nathan Gartside, Jack Malone, Mark McChrystal, Eoghan Stokes.
Booked: None
Waterford: Matthew Connor; Shane Duggan, Kenny Browne, Rory Feely, John Kavanagh; Zack Elbouzedi (Cory Galvin, 59), Karolis Chvedukas, Tom Holland, George Poynton (Michael O’Connor, 59), Rob Slevin; Dean Walsh.
Subs not used: Maxim Kouogun, JJ Lunney, Paul Martin.
Booked: Karolis Chvedukas (57), Robert Slevin (62)
Referee: Derek Tomney
Attendance: 1,300 (estimate)
ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: David Parkhouse (Derry City)
