James Akintunde bags a debut goal as Derry City win at St Pat's

DERRY CITY debutante, James Akintunde bagged his first goal for the club as the Candy Stripes produced a superb performance against St Patrick's Athletic for their second victory of the season.

The former Maindehead United striker netted five minutes into the second half before City skipper and man of the match, Conor McCormack doubled the visitors' advantage with an excellent strike on 73 minutes.

Peter Cherrie produced three sensational close range saves to deny St Pat's substitute, Martin Rennie in the dying seconds of the match to ensure the clean sheet as Derry moved into fifth spot.

But it was a marked improvement for Declan Devine's troops who go into Sunday's clash against leaders Shamrock Rovers with confidence.

The teams observed a minute's silence prior to kick-off for club President, John Hume was passed away earlier today.

The late Hume, an iconic figure in Derry and beyond, served as President of the club for 21 years and was influential in bringing a star-studded Barcelona team to Brandywell in 2003.

Following last Friday night's disastrous return to action, Declan Devine reshuffled his pack, making three changes to the team

Colm Horgan, Jack Malone and new signing, James Akintunde were all handed starts at the expense of Conor Clifford, Stephen Mallon and Ciaron Harkin who all dropped to the bench.

The was an encouraging sight for City fans as Darren Cole was amongst the substitutes as he nears his comeback after 11 months on the sidelines with an ACL injury.

Former Candystripe, Georgie Kelly, who turned down a return to Brandywell last week in favour of a move to Inchicore, was handed his debut for Stephen O'Donnell's side.

It was a marked improvement from Friday night's lethargic display at Brandywell as Derry began with intensity.

However, it was the home side who had the better of the chances in the opening stages.

Robbie Benson, scorer of the equaliser against his old club, Dundalk last Friday the Saints 1-1 draw, dispossed Cononr McCormack after three minutes and when the ball broke to Jordan Gibson his ambitoious effort on the half volley sailed wide.

Benson was in the thick of the action yet again three minutes later as the ball broke to him on the edge of the penalty area following a corner kick.

The midfielder side-stepped his man before curling a powerful strike towards goal but Peter Cherrie parried it out of play.

Joe Thomson spread the ball beautufully towards Walter Figueira on the left wing and when he tried to beat his man, the ball fell to Gerardo Bruna but his shot was saved by Brendan Clarke.

St Pat's threatened again on 16 minutes when Jamie Lennon sent a free-kick towards the back post where Rory Feely headed wide.

Akintunde looked lively and on 20 minutes he latched onto a ball over the top. As he took on his man the ball deflected into the path of McCormack whose neat flick found Thomson and the Scotsman's first time strike went narrowly wide of the post.

Walter Figueira then sent a low drive just wide of the post while Ciaran Coll also tried his luck from distance as Derry began to control proceedings.

Akintunde was Derry's best attacking outlet and he was at the centre of a penalty claim for the visitors five minutes before the break.

The striker chased down a ball played over the top of the Siants defence and got in behind Luke McNally but the St Pat's defender was adjudged to have got a foot on the ball as Akintunde fell to the ground. A corner kick was signalled by the match referee, Rob Hennessy.

Derry made a blistering start to the second half and broke the deadlock following a lovely move involving Colm Horgan on 50 minutes.The Galwegian played inside to Jack Malone he picked out Akintunde who slotted into the far corner of the net from 12 yards for a debut goal.

St Pat's responded well and Jordan Gibson's searching ball in from the left had Cherrie back-peddling but the City keeper did well to turn it over the crossbar.

St Pat's substitute came closest for the home side when his powerful strike almost found the top corner just after the hour mark.

Derry doubled their lead on 73 minutes when City skipper, McCormack picked up a loose ball 20 yards from goal and bent his strike into the bottom corner.

The Dubliners threatened immediately after the restart but McClelland's close range strike was charged down bravely by Eoin Toal.

Cherrie produced three sensational saves at point blank range to deny St Pat's sub, Martin Rennie inside 60 seconds of second half stoppage time to ensure a clean sheet as Derry returned to winning ways with a fantastic overall display.

St Pat's: Brendan Clarke; David Titov (Jason McClelland h-t), Lee Desmond, Luke McNally, Rory Feely, Shane Griffin, Robbie Benson, Jordan Gibson (Darragh Markey 75), Jamie Lennon (Darragh Burns 75), Dan Ward (Chris Forrester 51), Georgie Kelly (Martin Rennie 64): Subs Not Used - Conor Kearns, Ian Bermingham.

Derry City: Peter Cherrie: Colm Horgan, Eoin Toal, Ally Gilchrist, Ciaran Coll: Jack Malone (Conor Clifford 85), Conor McCormack, Gerardo Bruna (Stephen Mallon 66), Walter Figueira; Joe Thomson; James Akintunde (Ciaron Harkin 89): Subs Not Used - N. Gartside, Ronan Boyce, Darren Cole, Mark McChrystal.

Referee - Rob Hennessy.