Early goal sets Derry on the way

National League Premier Division/Longford Town - 0 Derry City - 2: Derry achieved on Saturday night what title favourites Shelbourne failed to do just four days earlier: they won in Flancare Park. And with some ease against a Longford side that were playing catch-up from an early stage in this exciting encounter.

Longford were aimless throughout and once Derry took the lead after only 17 seconds, they were in control.

Mark Farren grabbed that early goal for the Candystripes. Longford lost possession from the tip-off and Gary Beckett played a lovely ball for Farren who raced through the Longford defence before placing the ball in to the bottom left-hand corner of Shay Kelly's net.

Derry extended their lead in the 29th minute. Ciarán Martyn's attempt was blocked away by Kelly. However, the ball rebounded kindly for Farren, who scooped the ball into the empty net.

Farren thought he had completed his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time. However, the striker's sublime finish was ruled out by a dubious offside decision.

Longford began the second half in sprightly fashion and nearly conjured up a spectacular goal in the 56th minute. A move involving Dessie Baker and Dave Freeman culminated in Alan Kirby's volley hitting David Forde's crossbar.

Normal service was resumed soon after. Derry piled on the pressure for the remainder of the game. Chances came and went for the title chasers with Martyn and Darren Kelly both going close to extending the Northerners' lead.

Further half-chances fell to home players Freeman, Dave Mooney and Damian Brennan, but this was Derry's night and their vociferous army of supporters left Longford in high spirits.

LONGFORD TOWN: Kelly; Murphy, Brennan, O'Connor, Prunty; Kirby, Gough (Baker half-time), Byrne, Cronin; R Martin (Mooney half-time), Freeman.

DERRY CITY: Forde; McCallion, Hutton, Kelly, Hargan (O'Flynn half-time); McGlynn, Molloy, Martyn, Brennan (Holmes 19); Beckett (Higgins 90), Farren.

Referee: A Kelly (Cork).