National League Premier Division/Derry City 4 Waterford United 0: Derry City overran struggling Waterford United at the Brandywell last night to move into second spot in the Premier Division table.
And it could have been more as the Foyleside club totally outplayed the managerless Blues, showing no signs of any European hangover following Thursday night's victory over Gothenburg.
This game was over as a contest at half-time, with Derry leading 2-0 and Waterford rarely threatening the home defence.
Derry broke the deadlock in the 19th minute following Waterford's failure to clear their lines. A Seán Hargan cross from the left bobbled about on the edge of the area before Gary Beckett took control and his right-foot strike gave goalkeeper Ben Spicer no chance from 18 yards.
In the 31st minute Beckett really should have doubled his side's lead. Having controlled an Eddie McCallion cross on his chest, the striker failed to get power into the volley and Spicer gathered the ball.
However, having started to control the game, Derry finally got their reward four minutes from the break.
A Rúaidhrí Higgins free-kick was spilled by Spicer and Derry centre half Darren Kelly was first to react, diverting the ball home from close range for his first goal since returning to the Brandywell from Portadown.
Having introduced two half-time substitutes, Derry continued to boss the ball and they sealed the game in the 65th minute with Kevin McHugh getting his first league goal.
A Kevin Deery corner from the right saw McHugh rise highest and from 12 yards to beat Spicer.
And half-time substitute Ciarán Martyn ended the rout when he thundered the ball home from 16 yards after having been set up by Beckett.
DERRY CITY: Forde; McCallion, Kelly, Hutton (Oman, 46 mins), Hargan; Deery, Higgins (Martyn, 46 mins), Molloy, McGlynn; Beckett, McHugh.
WATERFORD UNITED: Spicer; Casey, Hayes, Browne, Deans; Grant, Cantwell (MacDonald, 71 mins), Chambers, Hughes (Fraher, 53 mins); Kavanagh, Brosnan.
Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).
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