REPORT: Derry City 5-1 Bray Wanderers

After a 5-0 victory at the new Brandywell for Derry City on Monday night, the fans had high hopes for tonight’s fixture against bottom of the league, Bray Wanderers, and they were in for another treat.

The gameplan looked simple. Attack, attack, attack, and Jack Doyle was giving Dan McKenna a torrid time on the left side of the field, with Ronan Curtis in support. After 16 minutes, the breakthrough came for the Foylesiders. Nicky Low usually keeps things simple in the middle of the park, but an attempt on goal from the Scotsman proved worthwhile, as his effort deflected off Rory Patterson to give Derry the advantage.

The stadium held their breath, two minutes later, but Monday's hat-trick hero, Ronan Hale missed a golden opportunity, which brought a resounding groan around the Brandywell.

The Candystripes' attacking incentive continue in the opening half, but profligacy was Derry’s biggest enemy for the remainder of the half. In the second quarter, Bray looked ready to fire themselves back into the fixture and Low swelled their belief when he brought down Darragh Noone, who was the last man. Referee Damien McGraith thought about his decision, before sending Low off after 55 minutes.

Dave Mackey’s outfit had hope with Derry down to 10 men, but Derry City squashed that on the hour mark. Aaron Dillon was caught on the back foot after an awful back pass from the Bray defence. Curtis look possessed trying to get the ball and his determination was rewarded with a goal.

A perfect lob over Dillon gave Derry a two goal advantage. High on confidence, Curtis fought for every ball and when Hugh Douglas brought him to ground, McGraith pointed to the spot. A cool McEneff lobbed Dillon to give Derry the three-goal lead and they were well on their way to another three points. Rampant, Ronan Hale and David Hopkirk added to the scoreline before Bray got a consolation through Sean Heaney on 81 minutes.