Classy Candystripes storm back to the top

Bray Wanderers 0 Derry City 3

Goals from Mark Farren, Stephen O’Flynn and Ciaran Martyn mean Derry are two points clear of Cork City in the race for the title. The two teams are now level on goal difference at +31 although Derry have scored 54 compared to Cork’s 48.

But there were no premature celebrations from Derry boss Stephen Kenny, who knows Cork still have a match in hand and Derry have just two remaining fixtures, at home to St Patrick’s Athletic on Sunday week and the showdown game against Cork at Turners Cross on November 18.

Knowing Cork had conceded an early goal against Waterford United before they even took the pitch, it was no surprise that it was Derry who totally dominated the early stages.

O’Flynn might have had them in front after just eight minutes when, with Bray keeper Chris O’Connor nowhere, he headed wide from close range.

McCourt, always a threat down the left with his excellent ball control and neat touches, then took advantage of sloppy defending to fire in a shot from 22 yards just wide of the target.

There was an inevitability about Derry’s opening goal on 16 minutes when young defender William Tyrell failed to get in a headed clearance.

Martyn was able to head across the face of goal for Farren to shoot home his 17th league goal of the season.

In an effort to inject some life into their attack, Bray introduced Romanian striker Andrei Georgescu at half-time. Derry were briefly forced to play a containment game.

But soon they were back on the attack with O’Connor doing well to push an O’Flynn strike round the post on 56 minutes. But just two minutes later he stretched Derry’s lead.

McCourt rounded two Bray defenders and sent over an inch-perfect cross for O’Flynn to head home.

And it was party time for 400 travelling Candystripes supporters when Martyn added a third goal on 63 minutes when he swept the ball home after a deflected Gareth McGlynn cross.

The only sour note for Derry was when midfielder Molloy was sent off on 69 minutes for a foul on Michael Roche. He will miss the game against St Patrick’s Athletic.

BRAY WANDERERS: O’Connor; Long, Roche, Tresson, W.Tyrell (Ryan 73); McGuinness, Caffrey, Keogh, D.Tyrell (Georgescu 45); Fox, Kieran O’Brien.

DERRY CITY: Forde; McCallion, Delaney, Hutton, Hargan; McGlynn, Martyn, Molloy, McCourt; O’Flynn (Cash 86), Farren (Murphy 89).

Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin).