St Patrick’s Athletic too slick for Derry at the Brandywell

Derry City 0 St Patrick’s Athletic 3

St Pat’s replicated last weekend’s impressive cup win over Shamrock Rovers when compounding Derry City’s league misery at a blustery Brandywell last night.

Liam Buckley’s side put into another excellent performance and, but for the goalkeeping of Ger Doherty, could have won by more.

St Pat’s exhibited incisive passing coupled with swift movement, and worked the ball forward effortlessly when playing against the breeze.

That said, Derry started brightly and had all the chances in the first 20 minutes.

But Pat’s showed great patience and their swift movement reaped dividends in the 26th minute.

Shane McEleney’s attempted clearance was deflected into the path of Aaron Greene and the winger took full advantage to break the deadlock.

With the wind at their backs, St Pat’s deservedly doubled their advantage 10 minutes into the second half.

Having won a free-kick 20 yards from goal, Killian Brennan stepped over the ball to allow James Chambers to drill a low shot wide of the defensive wall, the ball finding its way into the bottom corner of the net.

Chris Forrester netted Pat’s third on the break, the winger weaving his way into the area before rounding Doherty and guiding the ball home.

DERRY CITY: Doherty; S Kelly (Harkin 84 mins), S McEleney, Barry, Jarvis; Daniels, Lowry, McNamee, Curran; P McEleney (G Kelly 77 mins); Morrison (Curtis 68 mins). ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Clarke; O'Brien (Hoare 60 mins), McGuinness, Desmond, Bermingham; Bolger, Chambers (McCormack 82 mins); Forrester, Brennan, Greene; Fagan (McGrath 77 mins). Referee: D Tomney (Dublin)