Derry City 1:0 Rovers

Sometimes in football a game comes along where you throw everything but the kitchen sink at the opposition and they just don’t crack.

Aitricity Premier Division, Derry City 1:0 Shamrock Rovers, Friday July 8th 2011, The Brandywell.

That is what happened to Shamrock Rovers against Derry City on Friday. The Hoops suffered a second defeat in three games as the Candystripes cut their lead to just a single point at the top of the Premier Division.

Rovers goalkeeper Alan Mannus will put his hand up and admit that the game’s only goal was not one of his better moments in a Hoops shirt. Daniel Lafferty’s 53rd minute free-kick lacked much venom but Mannus somehow misjudged the flight of the ball and it bounced through his grasp and into the net.  To compound matters his opposite number Ger Doherty had a remarkable night in goal for the Candystripes – especially late on when Rovers were battling hard to level matters. 

Gary Twigg had a decent chance to open the scoring in the 28th minute but Doherty kept out his low drive. The Rovers defence almost handed Derry the lead less than ten minutes later when Eamon Zayed had a close range effort blocked by Mannus and only a Stephen Rice clearance denied Zayed a chance to fire the loose ball home.

Craig Sives was in the right place at the right time just before the break when he headed off the line and Mannus did well to deny Patrick McEleney. Mannus’s good work was undone with his error for Lafferty’s goal in the 53rd minute but Rovers showed real urgency in the last 20 minutes.

Doherty denied Twigg once again in the 74th minute when with an impressive save. A long distance James McClean strike required another top class stop from Mannus but Rover appeared destined to level.

Billy Dennehy was certain he had found the top corner with a fantastic late strike but Doherty was imperious once again when he managed to divert the ball onto his crossbar.

In injury time Twigg was left bemused for a final time when his flick brought another top drawer save out of the Candystripes keeper.

Shamrock Rovers – Mannus; Sullivan, Sives, Oman, Stevens; McCabe (Kelly, 58), Finn, Rice (Turner, 58), Dennehy; Twigg, Kilduff (O’Donnell, 72).

Derry City – Doherty; S. McEleney, McBride, Greacen, Lafferty; P. McEleney (Harkin, 72), Higgins, Molloy, McClean; McLaughlin, Zayed.

Referee –   D. Hancock (Dublin).

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