Derry City 3 Bray Wanderers 2
The Candystripes found some form in the second half of tonight’s game, coming froma goal down to triumph and record their first home victory in nearly two months. However if the visitors had taken their chances in the first period, the home side could have been staring down the barrel of another home defeat.
City made the early running with chances from McLaughlin and Patterson but the visitors’ five man midfield meant that they were soon on top and spurned a number of good opporunities. Adam Mitchell and Pierce Sweeney were both guiulty of failing to make Doherty work when presented with glorious opportunities while Dane Massey had the City stopper at full stretch to tip an effort around the post.
The lively Watters had been a torture for City in the game in the Carlisle Grounds and he made the breakthrough, capitalising on a Shane McEleney mistake to fire home in the 42th minute for a deserved lead for the visitors. After another scare when Houston went close, City finally decided to get a foothold in the game. Patterson nearly equalise with a lob just short of the hour and then he combined brilliantly with McEleney to send the youngster away down the right. His deep cross was brilliantly met by McLaughlin who made it three goals in three games. And the winger wasn’t finished there, as he pounced to give City the lead.
Bray’s Mitchell received treatment but when play was restarted, the players opted to contest the ball. McLaughlin won the ball, raced clear and hammered it home to give the home side the lead. However having worked so hard for the lead, City switched off and failed to mark a short corner routine. Rushing out to try and block the cross, Danny O’Connor found himself free at the back post to claim the equaliser.
However the game wasn’t over yet as once again McEleney was the provider, with a teasing cross headed powerfully home by McBride. City were able to close the game out and with result elsewhere saw them jump to fourth, only two points off second spot.
