Sport

Derry boss Higgins delighted and relieved as Candystripes finally clinch home win

Derry City manager Ruaidhri Higgins (right) was delighted to see his side finally record their first home win in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on Wednesday night 								Picture: Margaret McLaughlin
Derry City manager Ruaidhri Higgins (right) was delighted to see his side finally record their first home win in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on Wednesday night Picture: Margaret McLaughlin Derry City manager Ruaidhri Higgins (right) was delighted to see his side finally record their first home win in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on Wednesday night Picture: Margaret McLaughlin

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division: Derry City 2 Waterford 0

DERRY City manager Ruaidhri Higgins was finally pleased his side secured their first home success of the season on Friday night.

The Limavady man jokingly conceded he was pleased that he didn't have to continue answering questions about Derry's Brandywell run, after goals from Evan McLaughlin and Joe Thomson sealed a comfortable victory over Waterford.

"I'm sick of people asking me this question (about Derry's home form)," said Higgins. "I think our home results have not been great but our performances have been getting better and better and tonight gets rid of you boys asking me that question.

"I thought it was a good performance. First half I thought we had total control but our final ball was maybe lacking at times but we were getting into good areas of the pitch and caused them problems.

"As I said, I would've liked our final ball to be slightly better but we got our goal at a good time and were able to build from that in the second half."

The capacity at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium increased on Friday night and Higgins felt the support really pushed his side on and he was pleased the fans went home happy.

"The fans were a huge help and I think this place is a great place to play your football when there's spectators in. I actually got a real buzz watching people coming in and getting up into their seats. It gives you a real buzz and I hope they went home happy," he added.

"Although we lost last week, we took heart from our second half performance. I thought tonight was a good home performance but we won't get carried away at all."

Higgins was thrilled that teenager McLaughlin marked his debut with a goal and was also pleased that new signing Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe and Jamie McGonigle also got their first taste of action.

"He's a real talent and from minute one I've loved him," said the Derry gaffer.

"I don't care about size or age. I really don't. He just caught my eye from the word go.

"I think he's been rewarded for what I've seen over the last month or so. He's taken his opportunity. It's still very early in his development but I think he's a real talent. Those left footed central midfielders are hard to come by. He should be proud of his home debut."