Derry (FAI Cup)

[ForzaForth]

Good second half performance from Derry meant that the away side progressed to the semi-final in Ferrycarrig tonight with the Youths putting in a decent performance. Shane Keegan went 4-5-1 with Graham, Craig, Gary, Lee, Aidan, Eric, Duxey, Jonny, Hooper,Roxy and with Spot Murphy up front. With two aggressive wide players in Roxy and Eric and Spot up front, Youths tried to hit them early. The direct route created an early goal for the Youths on eight minutes when Spot created a lovely through ball for Eric Molloy who finished neatly past Ger Doherty in the Derry goal for 1-0 to the home side. Derry's first decent attempt on goal came on 12 minutes but it went a yard wide. Derry than had a number of corners as the half progressed, but the delivery wasn't great and the Youth's goal was largely untested. Graham Doyle then touched a Derry effort from close in around the post for a corner and Youth's Jonny Bonner also had a free-kick deflected for a corner. With 36 minutes gone, Duxey Dunne got a yellow for a tackle and with a minute to go of the 45 minutes, Gary Delaney cleared a dangerous cross from inside his won 6 yard box. Just when it seemed that the Youths would go in with an advantage, Patterson was allowed turn inside the Wexford penalty area, and his shot was deflected over a diving Graham Doyle for 1-1. Ref then blew immediately for half-time.

[ForzaForth]

Spot Murphy had a good chance in the first minute of the second half as he headed over from close in after good work by Eric Molloy. However, it was Derry who dominated thereafter with Conor McCormack pulling the strings in midfield for Derry. Graham had three good saves to make in the fifth, twelfth and thirteen minutes to keep the score at 1-1. With 25 minutes gone in the second period, Derry went ahead when a free kick hit the post, the rebound was saved by Graham Doyle but the second rebound then fell to Schubert who finished easily for 2-1 to Derry. With 15 minutes to go, Eric Molloy had a volley over the bar when well-placed. The insurance third goal went to Derry on 85 minutes when McNamee capitalised on an error in the Wexford defence to fire home low into the right-hand corner. Late subs for Wexford were Andy Mulligan and Peter Higgins and yellow cards were shown late on to Gary Delaney and Roxy Keenan for the Youths. 3-1 to Derry at full-time.

[ForzaForth]

Best for Wexford was Spot Murphy, who led the line very well, while Lee and Gary gave little away in the centre of the defence. Wexford are now left with eight tough league matches to see if they can improve their perilous league position. Looked to be only 320 or so at the match.