Derry City held on to secure a 3-2 victory against a well-drilled Waterford side at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. A first-half goal from Ciaron Harkin was followed by crazy, chaotic second half laced with drama. Two own goals from Damien Dela
Derry City held on to secure a 3-2 victory against a well-drilled Waterford side at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
A first-half goal from Ciaron Harkin was followed by crazy, chaotic second half laced with drama. Two own goals from Damien Delaney and Georgyo Poynton all but sealed the points for City before Cory Galvin scored a stunning consolation goal from 35-yards to give his side an outside chance.
The blistering game started laboured on Foyleside as both teams huffed and puffed, trying to enforce their style of play on the contest.
With Stephen Kenny looking on from the stands, Declan Devine and Alan Reynolds rallied loud from the sidelines, urging their sides on. The pace of Ogedi-Uzokwe was hard to deal with and with Lynch left chasing, Harkin found space on the edge of the 18-yard box before firing a rocket past Matthew Connor.
A superb goal from Harkin, who resigned a new and improved three year deal with Derry last week, repaying the faith shown in his raw talents.
After 60 minutes, City failed to adequately clear the danger in the box and as Waterford pressurised, it combusted as Darren Cole wildly took out Hery inside the penalty area - Neil Doyle was in no doubt. From the spot, Shane Duggan stepped up and made no mistake. Game on.
With Devine relentlessly hyperactive on the touchline, City scampered on the counter-attack and restored their lead. Patrick McClean's inviting cross, with Parkhouse and Ogedi-Uzokwe lurking, was desperately latched onto by Damien Delaney, sending it into his own net.
With Waterford scrambling, super integrate play from Parkhouse and Harkin saw Georgyo Poynton put into the back of his own net. Nightmare for Reynolds' side with their second own goal.
The Blues were down and out, but Galvin never got the message as his 35-yard screamer left Cheerie well beaten to make it a one-goal game and Waterford a chance of securing a point, but it wasn't to be as Derry held on.
