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Linfield battle back in Derry

Monday 26th March 2007, 10:16 pm

Pat McCourt, Derry City.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Derry City's indifferent start to the 2007 season continued tonight as they let slip a 2-0 lead at home to a depleted Linfield in group 1 of the Setanta Sports Cup. Tonight's results now see Derry slip out of the top spots in the group.

Gary Beckett returned up front for Derry as Pat Fenlon returned to a two man attack.

Derry's Ruaidhri Higgins missed the target after 12 minutes following some magic from Pat McCourt brought him through the Linfield defence. It was to be the theme of the night as McCourt hit top form.

Dave Rogers hooked a shot off target minutes later as Derry started brighter. Kevin Derry couldn't set himself as Derry again attacked before the 20th minute but the Derry man ended up using his knee to guide Eddie McCallion's cross at goal. Deery's effort lacked control and flew over.

McCourt split the Linfield defence midway through the half and Beckett should have done better one-on-one. He ended up dragging his shot wide of Greg Shannon's goal.

Mark Farren turned and fired over from more McCourt build-up play as Derry created more chances. Linfield threatened after the half-hour as Thomas Stewart broke only for Derry keeper Pat Jennings to cut out the chance outside his area.

Beckett put Derry ahead in the 35th minute after a long ball forward was knocked into his path before he fired home to the corner of the net.

Paul McAreavey crashed a shot against the Derry crossbar just four minutes after half time. However, Derry well still doing well and Beckett had a shot saved after McCourt again played him through.

A quick Derry break out of defence saw the Candystripes go 2-0 up on the hour. McCourt got the goal his performance deserved as he eluded a couple of defenders before firing across Shannon.

There was no sign of a Linfield comeback at first but Glenn Ferguson crossed for Aidan O'Kane and he turned home a close range header to make it 2-1 with 15 minutes still left on the clock.

Linfield battled back on 85 minutes as Derry wilted. Mark Dickson ran in on the end of Ferguson's flick on and beat the advance of Jennings to flick towards goal. Agonisingly, Darren Kelly appeared to be getting back to flick the ball clear but somehow didn't manage to connect with the ball and Linfield were level.

Derry had an escape in what remained as Jennings again displayed some questionable judgement and was slightly lucky to escape with a booking after hacking down Dickson outside the box. Oran Kearney then brought a near post save from Jennings in the final minute.

Derry's run under Pat Fenlon still needs to ignite but Linfield have proven that even when they make changes they are a dangerous force in the Setanta Cup.

Derry City : Jennings, McCallion, Rogers, Hutton, Kelly, Deery, Higgins (Brennan 90), Molloy, McCourt, Farren (McHugh 77), Beckett.
Linfield : Shannon, Ervin, Douglas, Bailie, McShane, Dickson, McAreavey, Mulgrew (Garrett 83), O'Kane, Ferguson, Stewart (Kearney 46).