Derry overcome stubborn London resistance

Allianz Football Leagues Division Four

Derry 0-19 London 1-9

From Odhrán Crumley in Ballinascreen

Derry have made it two wins from two in Division Four with an industrious win over London in Ballinascreen.

The performance from the Oakleaf men can be described as workmanlike given the task at hand and the defensive, sticky and never say die attitude of their opponents.

Damian McErlain lost Enda Lynn and Shane McGuigan early in the first stanza to make the task at hand that little bit greater.

London rattled the net five minutes before the break through Adrian Hanlon before David Dunne equalised before Emmett Bradley hit two fine scores to ensure his team led at the break.

Emmett Bradley, Sammy Bradley and Ciaran McFaul led the Derry charge over the seventy minutes guiding their younger counterparts through the rather difficult assignment with their experience and quality across the pitch.

EARLY LEAD

Derry opened the scoring after just two minutes after an industrious run from Padraig Cassidy afforded Ciaran McFaul the opportunity to tap over the bar.

London replied with their first score of the game on seven minutes, captain Liam Gavaghan leading up example and firing between the sticks.

The powerful running of Enda Lynn was causing the exiles untold problems in the early junctures of the game one such run set attacking corner back, Patrick Coney away to shoot over the bar.

Sammy Bradley would go on to kick the next two points of the contest first profiting from a Niall Keenan slip pass to score before another assist from Cassidy put four three between the teams.

Emmett Bradley got his first score of the contest to make it 0-5 to 0-1 after fifteen minutes but Ciaran Deely’s men weren’t going down without a fight.

Killian Butler stopped the rot with a fine score, cutting in from the left before Bradley added another Derry free.

Gavaghan pointed either side of scores from Ciaran McFaul before London hit their purple patch before the half time whistle.

Firstly, Ryan Jones pointed amongst a sea of red and white jerseys. James Hynes would then claim the restart. His pointed effort dropping short of the target and into the grateful arms of Adrian Hanlon on the edge of the square.

The big full forward made no mistake in blasting the ball into the top left corner of the net from point blank range.

David Dunne then levelled proceedings and confirmed a 1-2 without reply for the exiles five minutes before the break.

Derry would reaffirm their authority before the break with a brace from Emmett Bradley including a long range free ensured they held a two point lead at the interval.

HALF TIME: DERRY 0-10 LONDON 1-5

Contrasting fitness levels and ambitions were clear to be seen the second half as the home side ran away with the contest.

Sammy Bradley and McFaul adding two scores in as many minutes to put push the ascendancy to four.

Substitute, Conor Doran would register his team’s reply and first of the half five minutes in, but it was met with six unanswered Derry points.

Emmett Bradley landed his sixth with a delightful swing from long range, curling out before returning to nestle between the uprights.

McFaul alongside substitutes, Niall Toner and Conor Doherty kicked the favourites into a ten point advantage.

Like all good captains should, Gavaghan kept igniting the fire in his team by winning and then converting three close range frees.

As all good teams should Derry kept battling to the death even with the game and result long decided, Emmett Bradley nailing a late free to put the icing firmly on the cake.

Next up for the men in red and white is the long journey to take on Waterford next Sunday in Fraher Field in another crunch and tricky league assignment.

Derry Scorers: Ciaran McFaul (0-5), Patrick Coney (0-1); Christopher Bradley (0-3); Emmet Bradley (0-7 3f); Niall Toner (0-2); Conor Doherty (0-1);

London Scorers: Adrian Hanlon (1-0) Liam Gavaghan (0-5, 4f); Killian Butler (0-1); Ryan Jones (0-1); David Dunne (0-1); Conor Doran (0-1);

Derry: Thomas Mallon, Patrick Coney, Jason Rocks, Eoghan Concannon; Karl McKaigue, Chrissy McKaigue, Niall Keenan; Conor McAtamney, Ciaran McFaul; Emmet Bradley, Padriaig Cassidy, Jack Doherty; Shane McGuigan, Enda Lynn, Christopher Bradley.

Subs: Niall Toner for S McGuigan (inj), 5mins; Paul Mcneill for E Lynn, 22mins; Conor Doherty for C Bradley, mins; Padraig Mc Grogan for J Doherty, 62mins; Christopher Bradley for e Concannon (inj), 74mins.

London: Daniel McDonagh; Philip Butler, Michael Clarke, Matthew Moynihan; David Carrabine, Aidan McGarvey, Ryan Jones; Ryan Forde, Adrian Hanlon; Liam Gavaan, James Hynes, Barry Tully; Matt Gottsche, David Dunne, Killian Butler.

Subs: Eoin Flanagan for J Hynes, 23mins; Conor Doran for D Carrabine, 34mins; Ronan Devlin for A Hanlon, 54mins; Conor O’Neill for R Jones, 57mins; Pierce McGirr for D Dunne, 56mins;

Referee: Sean Laverty (Antrim)