Derry too slick for Waterside neighbours

The Drumahoe side, who defeated a North West Select 3-1 on Friday night, gave a number of their first team squad a run out on Monday evening.

Paul Kee’s out-fit changed their entire starting line-up at half-time, while Peter Hutton gave a debut to recent signing Shaun Kelly, but it was Stephen Dooley who stole the show.

The ex-Coleraine winger had the Stute defence on the back foot throughout and although he only scored one goal, he was denied a few other times by goalkeeper Michael Doherty.

Incredibly the visitors took the lead after just 15 seconds when Sean Houston fed Ryan Curran, who made no mistake firing low into Doherty’s bottom right hand corner from 20 yards.

The Waterside men who started with a 3-4-3 formation should have levelled things on 12 minutes but Stephen O’Flynn’s close range effort was kept out by City keeper Ciaran Gallagher.

Derry should have doubled their lead minutes later but Stephen Dooley’s shot was saved by Doherty, after the right winger had easily got past Colm McLaughlin.

Gallagher came to his side’s rescue moments later as he did well to boot clear Darren McCauley’s left footed strike from the edge of the box.

Dooley went close again just before the mid-way point of the half this time cutting into his left foot the Coleraine man’s drive was saved by a full stretched Doherty.
The woodwork came to City’s aid on 30 minutes after O’Flynn did well to get away from Shane McEleney inside the box, but his right footed strike, which had Gallagher beaten, clipped the top of the bar.

Just before half-time Dooley did finally beat Doherty, this time the winger again cut in from the left before drilling the ball home from 12 yards.

Right on the stroke of half-time City added a third when Dooley’s left-wing centre found Curran and his close range strike took a massive deflection off Paddy McLaughlin on it’s way over Doherty.

In what was a disappointing second half, but in fairness Kee will have been happier with his side’s display after the break, it was the home side who went close when Declan McKeever’s left wing cross was headed off target by Dean Curry.

Late on and with both sides making a few changes it was Stute who went close to grabbing a consolation goal.

Some neat passing ended with McKeever’s cut-back to the edge of the box finding Ryan Varama, but the youngster’s well hit drive from 25 yards was gathered at the second attempt by Michael Lynch.

Institute (First Half): Doherty, Crown, P McLaughlin, C McLaughlin; S Curry, Ballard, McManus, Toland; McCauley, O’Flynn, McIntyre.

Institute (Second Half): Wilson, Scoltock, Walsh, D Curry; Young, Varma, McBride (Martin 72), McKeever; Hume, McFadden, Doherty (Henderson 72).

Derry City: Gallagher (Lynch 80), S Kelly, Byrne (C Barr 80), McEleney, Jarvis (Dunlop 80); Dooley (M Barr H-T), Lowry (McCauley 55), Houston (G Kelly 69), T McNamee, Tracey (Doherty 67); Curran.

Referee: Mr Steven Wallace (Londonderry).