Derry in danger of reaching free-fall

Bohemians 3 Derry City 0Bohemians' campaign continued on its upward curve last night as Stephen Kenny's side easily accounted for Derry City writes Gavin Cummiskey at Dalymount Park.

The visitors are a club in crisis and they slipped farther into the relegation mire by coughing up three soft goals, one a horrendous howler from goalkeeper Pat Jennings.

Their poor run of results saw manager Gavin Dykes resign last weekend, promptly followed out the door by Liam Coyle, who was overlooked for the caretaker role, which went to Peter Hutton.

On yesterday's lethargic display, they at least can take solace from the fact that the premier league is extending to 12 teams next season. On that premise they probably will survive if they sort out their shop at some stage.

However, under the guidance of player-boss Hutton, Derry's miserable season never looked like finding any salvation at Dalymount Park. Bohemians led by two goals inside 25 minutes and that was without having to raise their standards above the norm.

It had been coming. As early as the fourth minute Kevin Hunt really should have got a better connection on a Bobby Ryan corner; instead, he glanced it wide.

Stephen Caffrey then wriggled free down the left, but Jennings parried his tame shot to safety.

The midfielder subsequently had to retire after falling awkwardly.

Although still reduced to 10 men, while Caffrey was receiving treatment, Bohemians took the lead via Ryan thanks to a decent through ball from David Morrison.

Glen Crowe added his seventh league goal of the season two minutes later after a costly error from Jennings. Crowe hit a rasping drive straight at the goalkeeper, who parried the ball into the air only for it to loop over his head and across the line. Jennings turned and caught it, but after just a moment of hesitation referee Jim O'Neill pointed to the centre circle.

With the second half still in its infancy Ryan secured the points for Bohemians with another opportunistic goal.

With Crowe moving to the near post and Tony Grant trailing off, the winger seemed to miscue his cross to the back post only for the post to intervene and send it into the net.

Even though their night's work was seemingly done, Bohemians continued to press forward against their demoralised opponents, and Grant could have had a couple. He certainly should have done better with a clear shot at goal just after the restart.

Shay Kelly was never called into action in the home goal, while a clearly unfit Clive Delaney - one of Derry's big pre-season signings - struggled to stem the advances of a now four-man attack.

Next up under Hutton's temporary charge is the visit of Dublin City on Tuesday. If they lose to their main rivals for the single relegation spot they may drift into a free-fall that will be difficult to escape.

For Bohemians, things are looking up.

BOHEMIANS: Kelly; Lynch, Hawkins, Heary, Webb (Keddy, 72); Ryan (Rice, 75), Hunt, Caffrey (Harkin, 22), Morrison; Crowe, Grant.

DERRY CITY: Jennings; Hutton, Delaney, McLaughlin, McCallion (Gill, 52), Hargan; Doherty, O'Gready (McGlynn, 75), Martyn; Beckett, Murphy (Farren, 65 mins).

Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).