Savic rescues point for Town
[eleven-a-side.com]
Quote:
Derry City 1-1 Longford Town
Longford Town’s new signing Simi Savic marked his debut with the equalising goal as the midlanders prevented Derry from gaining their first league win of the season.
Derry’s former Republic of Ireland front man, David Kelly, failed to threaten to any great extent, particularly under the close attentions of Barry Ferguson, but his influence will undoubtedly grow as his match-fitness improves.
Of the two new strikers on show, Savic was undoubtedly the more low-profile, particularly given the fact that he didn’t even make the starting XI, but he showed his worth when firing past Alan Gough in the Derry goal just six minutes after his second half introduction.
It was a deserved equaliser for the battling Longford side, who had come out with all guns blazing after a poor first half performance, and had already come close through Eric Lavine before Savic’s strike.
Derry had enjoyed the better of the opening 45, and Gary Beckett - himself only on the field a little over ten minutes, for the injured Liam Coyle - handed the home side a justified lead eight minutes before the break, when he controlled a far-post cross and lashed a shot past Stephen O’Brien to the net.
With Ferguson sent off for an impetuous clash with Eamon Doherty, it was Longford who were made to battle for the point, but Derry manager Kevin Mahon will be thoroughly disappointed his side failed to erase the duck-egg from their league wins column.
Derry City: Gough, E. McCallion, Hargan (McGlynn, 49), Hutton, McLaughlin, Kelly, Doherty, Martyn, Coyle (Beckett, 26), Kelly, Friars.
Longford Town: O’Brien, Mulvihill, Dillon, Silke, Ferguson, Perth, Kirby, Sheridan, Lavine, Robinson (Savic, 51), Prunty (Holt, 63).
Referee: D. McKeon (Dublin)
