Derry City start as they as they mean to go in a cagey win versus Sligo Rovers.
Derry City 2
Sligo Rovers 1
The game started with Sligo playing very comfortably and creating chances on the counter, where Jad Hakiki took the lead after poor defending from the Derry City defence left Hakiki in front of goal which he tapped into the bottom left corner to shock the Derry fans. While Derry dominated the ball, they never really seemed to create any clearcut chances with Sam Sargeant playing as a sweeper keeper it left no room for Tiernan Lynch’s favoured through balls to the front line.
The game seemed to gain a bit of fight after the break as Patrick McClean got booked for a reckless tackle that some players and fans were claiming to be upgraded to red.
After the break, Derry City came out fighting with some great saves Sam Sargeant again to keep the Bit O Red in front. Derry were knocking on the door and you could feel the fans get behind the team more and more. As the game went on it felt inevitable that Derry would at least level the game as they did with a great strike by Alex Bannon in the 82nd minute to bring the game back to life and create an intense last 10 minutes.
Derry kept the pressure up while Sligo struggled to get out of their half with some great attacking football being played by Derry, they looked like a complete different team compared to what we saw in the first half. In the 91st minute Derry got their winner with new signing Josh Thomas getting the winner. Thomas joins Derry on loan this season from Drogheda United.
After some minor Sligo pressure, referee Neil Doyle blew the whistle to give Derry their first win of the season.
Hometown hero James McClean was very physical today. He seemed to play in a deeper and more centre role compared to when he played for Ireland and Wrexham, where we saw him play more as a winger and wingback. He was in the middle today alongside Carl Winchester breaking up play and playing some balls up to Michael Duffy.
Derry City are at home to Dundalk next Friday after Dundalk asked for the fixture to be in Derry while renovations to Oriel Park take place.
Sligo Rovers are at home to Bohemians next Saturday.
Final Score:
Derry City- 2
Sligo Rovers-1
Lineup:
Starting 11 for Derry City:
- Maher (GK), 25. Bannon (G+A), 3. McClean, 6. Slevin, 19. Fleming, 20. Winchester, 16. McClean, 10. Markey, 15. Clarke, 7. Duffy (C), 17. Thomas
Subs for Derry City:
26. Callister (GK), 4. Stott, 8. O’Reilly, 11. Whyte, 14. Doherty, 21. Dos Santos, 22. Barr, 24. Rylah, 28. Olayinka
Starting 11 for Sligo Rovers:
29. Sargeant (GK), 33. Esua (A), 15. Denham, 52. McInroy, 7. Fitzgerald (C), 4. Quirk, 71. Patton, 19. Nolan, 8. Hakiki (G), 28. O’Kane, 11. Kavanagh
Subs for Sligo Rovers:
60. Brush (GK), 3. Steward, 5. Blaney, 6. Harkin, 10. Meekison, 16. McHugh, 23. McDonagh, 38. Jonathan, 63. Rego Pristo
Man Of The Match: Sam Sargeant really impressed me today. Despite conceding 2 goals which one there was no saving, his sweeping up the back and top tier saves kept Sligo in the game for most of the second half. I will be watching Sligo’s number 29 closely as I believe he does not get the credit he deserves as he always seems to be a key part of Sligo staying up every year.
Referee: Neil Doyle
Attendance: 4127