Parkhouse makes most of his chance

Derry City recorded their first points of the new season at the Brandywell last night when defeating newly-promoted Monaghan United.

Without the services of first-choice strikers Liam Coyle (Achilles) and Padraig Moran (hamstring), the home side still managed to comfortably control the game and really should have ended the game as a contest before the half-time whistle.

Substitute front-man Stephen Parkhouse broke the deadlock in the 18th minute when he latched on to a superb cross from Eamon Doherty before driving the ball home from 16 yards.

And when Derry had numerous chances to increase that lead, they had to wait until the 40th minute to score again from a penalty spot.

Jamie Hughes was upended inside the area and new signing Thomas McCallion gave Robert Forde no chance from the spot.

The home side squandered further chances throughout the second half to increase their lead.

DERRY CITY: Payne; E McCallion, Kelly, McLaughlin, Hargan; Phillips, Doherty, T McCallion, Beckett; Hughes, Parkhouse. subs McCready and McGlynn for Phillips and T McCallion (both 86 mins).

MONAGHAN UNITED: Forde; White, Scully, Carville, O'Callaghan; Meier, Rogers, McGrath, Mooney; Lundy, McKenna. subs Carroll for White (34 mins,) Corrigan for McKenna and Shiels for Meier respectively (Both half-time).

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).

Aston Villa are "optimistic" Croatian international Bosko Balaban will play for them despite his work-permit application being rejected.

An appeal will be heard in Sheffield next Thursday when the club hopes to persuade immigration officials of Balaban's international potential.

Operations director Steve Stride said last night "We were expecting this development really. In the initial stage, they look at the criteria in black and white. When you do that, he hasn't played in 75 per cent of internationals over the last two years.

"But at the appeal, we can point out he has been ever-present over the last 12 months and is now seen as one of Croatia's main stars."