Derry grind out opening win

Saturday 10th March 2007, 1:03 am

Kevin McHugh, Derry City.

Photo by Tom Carey.

9th March 2007

eircom League of Ireland Premier Division

Derry City 1

Kevin McHugh 31

Bray Wanderers 0

Brandywell Stadium

Derry City got off to a winning start in the eircom League 2007 season on Friday night thanks to a first half goal from Kevin McHugh, the same man who scored the only goal in their previous 1-0 win (in the Setanta Sports Cup).

Derry had ridden their luck in the early going at the Brandywell against Bray Wanderers. The Seagulls had done much of the early running but Pat McCourt's surge forward and killer ball into the area undid Bray. The ball found McHugh and his deflected shot beat Steve Williams.

The goal switched the game in Derry's favour and they could have wrapped up their first three points of the season before half-time. Mark Farren fired over when one-on-one with goalkeeper Williams and minutes later the former Shels keeper saved in another duel with Farren.

Stephen Fox's ball across the face of goal could have prompted an equaliser midway through the second half but Bray were unable to make it count.

A poor second half saw both sides waste good opportunities but Derry boss Pat Fenlon will be happy to have started with a win.

Derry City : Jennings, McCallion, Kelly, Oman, Hargan, Deery, Molloy, Higgins (McGlynn 73), McCourt, McHugh, Farren.
Bray Wanderers : Williams, Derek Tyrrell, Delaney, Deans, Cronin, Tresson (Kenny 87), Gough (Duggan 78), Caffrey, David Tyrrell, Fox, Dunphy (McCabe 76).

IrishFootballOnline.com » The unofficial and Independent Irish Football website.

Derry grind out opening win

eircom League of Ireland Premier Division

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