DERRY CITY RESERVES moved up to second in the Ulster Senior League following this 4-1 victory over a stubborn Fanad United side in a game played in perfect conditions at Traigh-a-Loch on Tuesday evening.
Fanad United 1-4Â Derry City ReservesÂ
This game started at a frantic pace with both sides showing real attacking intent from the start. The first clear cut chance came the way of Derry forward Ronan Curtis in the 10th minute. After receiving the ball with his back to goal he turned and hit a shot from 20 yards just over the bar.
Ryan McGonigle then had a similar chance two minutes later for Fanad when after being played in by Conor McGonigle, he saw his 25-yard effort dip just over the bar with Conor Brady stranded. Fanad will rue a missed chance to take the lead in the 20th minute.
When Brian McVeigh’s through ball caused confusion in the Derry defence, Conor McGonigle pounced only to see his tame shot drift wide with the goal at his mercy. Derry certainly made Fanad pay for that missed chance when they took the lead two minutes later. When Gareth McFadden played the ball into Ronan Curtis his superb flick was met by the on-running Ryan Curran who slid the ball past Oran Blaney.
The second half served up more of the same with some good attacking play from both teams with neither creating any clear cut chances. Ronan Curtis did miss an opportunity to score two minutes in when his snap shot from inside the box went just wide. However just before the hour mark Fanad did find an equaliser.
After a corner was cleared, Kieran Sharkey swung a great ball into the box and it was met at the back post by Seamus Friel who gave Brady no chance. Fanad right back Oisin Langan then went on a surging run up-field and when he cut inside he seen his rasping shot from 25 yards fly just over the bar.
Derry reacted well tot he equaliser and took the lead in the 64th minute. Matt Doherty split the Fanad defence with a pass and Ronan Curtis made no mistake with his crisp finish. Fanad may feel aggrieved as there certainly seemed to be more than a hint of offside in the build up.
The Fanad United who played Derry City Reserves in the Ulster Senior League on Tuesday night
In the 73rd minute Ryan McGonigle seen his effort from 20 yards go over the bar. With ten minutes remaining Derry made the game safe and Curtis was again to the fore. When played through by substitute Ben Doherty, Curtis scored with a fine finish into the bottom corner.
Fanad almost pulled a goal back with five minutes remaining when Martin McAteer’s free from the right caused panic in the box, Conor McGonigle just failed to connect with his shot. Derry put the icing on the cake in the 93rd minute when Adrian Delap beat two defenders to the ball to send his header beyond the stranded Blaney.
Best for Fanad were Ryan McGonigle, Declan McGarvey and Martin McAteer. Best fro Derry were Ronan Curtis, Ryan Curran and Rory Holden.
Fanad United: Oran Blaney, Oisin Langan, Kieran Sharkey, Martin McAteer, Seamus Friel, Ryan McGonigle, Keelin McElwaine, Declan McGarvey, Conor McGonigle, Brian McVeigh, Eoghan Rafferty (Kevin McGonigle 42)
Derry City Reserves: Conor Brady, Dean Power, Gareth McFadden, Matt Doherty, Lee McGolgan, Stephen Duffy (Adrian Delap 38), Rory Holden (Stephen Mills 80), Shane Boyle, Ryan Doherty, Ronan Curtis, Ryan Curran
Referee: Packie Coll
| Â Ulster Senior League table | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
| Cockhill Celtic | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 8 |
| Derry City Res | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 7 |
| Bonagee United | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 5 |
| Swilly Rovers | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Letterkenny Rovers | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| Fanad United | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 12 | -11 | 1 |
