Longford Town 1 Derry City 3 

City departed Flancare Park with three goals, three points and third spot in the table.  Stephen Kenny will be delighted with the performance of his side, though Longford defensive woes continue to haunt them.

However City have enjoyed rich success from set pieces so far this season and the opening goal came via the very same route.  City won a free kick on the left hand side, midway inside in the Longford half.  A whipped ball by Ruairi Harkin was only partially cleared and the ball fell to Patrick McEleney on the edge of the box. The new signing took a touch, wrongfooted the defence and curled it past Shanahan in the Longford net for the first goal of his City career

Despite the setback the home side continue to threaten and Gerard Doherty had to be on top form in order to deny JP Donagh.  The winger latched onto a ball from Hynes, weaved across the edge of the peanlty box and let fly, Doherty was at full stretch to push it over the bar.  The acrobatic save drew applause from home and away support alike.  Doherty was again tested just before the half time whistle when a thirty yard free kick the ball clipping the outside of the upright and wide.

In a game where flowing football was at a premium, City's second goal was a thing of rare beauty.  McCallion fed Molloy inside the centre circle.  The midfielder quickly swept the ball left to Emmet Friars, attacking from left back.  Friars exchanged a quick one two with McClean into the penalty box before cutting the ball back to McDaid.  The striker, only eight yards out, lifted the ball brilliantly over a stranded Shannon and into the net to double the advantage.

Less than an hour gone and City were cruising.  An injury to McEleney saw the introduction of Kevin Deery for his first appearance of the season and the return of the club captain was another positive from the night.  Harkin pushed forward to support McDaid, allowing Molloy and Deery to renew their midfield partnership.  

Longford continued to try and find a way back into the game and forced a succession of corners.  Again that man Lester delivered a number of telling set pieces, one of which Doherty brilliantly palmed over from Ekanem's crashing header. 

Harkin was to profit from his advanced role as he hit City's third.  A seemingless harmless ball was punted forward, with McDaid working tirelessly to chase Philip Byrne down.  The centre half completely underhit his back pass and McDaid bore down on goal.  The advancing Shanahan saved the initial effort but the ball broke to Harkin who slotted it home from eighteen yards out.

City had previously scored three in the four games to date but had now doubled that tally in one game alone.  The home side looked completely dispirited after the defensive howler but went to three at the back in order to try and salvage something Longford got one back when Glynn again outstripped the Derry defence for pace.  McChyrstal got back to cover but the  scrambled clearance only fell to Gary Cronin.  The second half substitute's shot was goal bound despite the efforts of Friars and McClean on the goal line.

However it was all too little too late for the home  side as City as saw out the remainder of the game.  The visitors could have restored their three goal advantage when Shane McEleney failed to find James McClean as City broke on the counter attack in the dying stages.

Referee: Jim McKell (Tipperary)