DERRY CITY scored their second win in four days as they swept aside the challenge of Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds on Monday.
A headed goal from defender Aaron Barry, plus a second-half double from Rory Patterson completed a professional job for Derry, who repelled a limited Bray attack throughout on a difficult surface. Derry City got the early goal they wanted just five minutes in as Barry McNamee and Rory Patterson combined brilliantly.
Both players were involved as the midfielder’s deep free kick found the striker free at the back post, and his volley across goal was again brilliantly pushed away by Cherrie. McNamee was quick to react to the loose ball and he dinked a superb cross back into the heart of the penalty area where Aaron Barry stooped to direct a header past Cherrie at his near post to open the scoring.
The second-half followed the same pattern with Bray dictating the tempo of the game, while Derry sought to contain the hosts whilst also attempting to break out on the counter attack. For all their possession, Bray failed to create any real goal scoring chances with McBride and Barry absolutely superb at the heart of the Derry defence.
The crucial second goal came on 71 minutes and it went the way of Derry after Harry Monaghan bullied his way into the Bray penalty area, turned his man and picked out a pass for Rory Patterson who hooked the ball past Peter Cherie for 2-0.
With that, the game was up for Bray and Derry put the gloss on a solid, professional performance as Rory Patterson shrugged off the challenge of Paul Finnegan in added time and casually sidestepped Cherrie before rolling in his third goal in three games to secure the win for Derry City.
