Lacklustre Derry City resume League of Ireland action with shock defeat to Sligo Rovers

A LACKLUSTRE Derry City marked their return to competitive action after four months with a convincing defeat to Sligo Rovers at Brandywell.

The League of Ireland resumed for the first time since early March but the form book pre-Covid-19 shutdown was thrown out the window as the Bit O'Red registered a first win of the campaign.

Kyle McFadden stunned the home side when his bullet header from a Regan Donelan corner on 19 minutes as Derry failed to get out of the blocks.

And six minutes into the second half Eoin Toal brought down Ronan Coughlan inside the penalty area and referee, Paul McLaughlin pointed to the spot.

Coughlan stepped up and sent Peter Cherrie the wrong way with a well taken spotkick to hand Sligo a comfortable but deserved advantage.

Derry failed to test Sligo keeper, Ed McGinty throughout the entire 94 minutes played on the night as they slumped to a third defeat in five games.

It was the first League of Ireland match to return after the Covid-19 postponement and there was an eerie atmosphere at the Foyleside venue without the presence of the fans.

The hosts did their best to recreate that match night atmosphere, playing crowd noise on the tannoy but it was no substitute for the real thing!

There was no place in the squad for four of Declan Devine's recent signings with Scotsman, Joe Thomson the only new addition involved in the game.

The former Dunfermline midfielder was the most advanced of Derry's midfield five with Walter Figueria leading the line.

There was no evidence that Derry City had returned to collective training three weeks before their visitors who settled into the occasion quickest after 21 weeks without competitive football.

Sligo's New Zealand forward, Ryan de Vries was allowed time and space to run towards the edge of Derry box but his tame strike was saved comfortably by Peter Cherrie on 16 minutes.

Sligo got in behind the Derry defence moments later as Ronan Coughlan raced onto Jesse Devers' slotted pass but Eoin Toal timed his tackle to perfection to concede a corner.

The visitors took the lead from the resultant set-piece on 19 minutes. Donelan sent his cross towards the back post where McFadden rose highest to bury a bullet close range header into the net.

The Bit O'Red had the bit between their teeth and when David Cawley's crossfield pass beat the offside trap, Coughlan's shot was charged down superbly by Toal.

Conor McCormack was fortunate when he was dispossessed by de Vries deep inside his own half on the half hour mark as the Sligo forward's eventual strike was deflected behind for a corner.

Derry began to up the tempo approaching half-time and when Figueria forced a corner from McFadden, Toal headed downwards and Ally Gilchrist hooked it harmlessly high and wide on 40 minutes.

Stephen Mallon did well to work his way into the Sligo penalty area, McFadden headed the ball towards the edge of the box and it fell kindly to Conor Clifford who spread it wide to McCormack but the City captain's strike was deflected wide.

Sligo were quickest out of the blocks after the interval and they doubled their advantage just six minutes in.

Coughlan went down under the challenge of Toal eight yards from the Derry net and referee Paul McLaughlin pointed straight to the spot.

Up stepped Coughlan to take the spotkick and the striker sent Peter Cherrie the wrong way to give Sligo a well deserved two goal cushion.

Derry momentarily were playing with nine men after a mix-up between the match referee and the fourth official. The latter refused to permit substitutes Patrick Ferry and Jack Malone on the pitch despite the fact Harkin and Clifford had already taken their place on the bench.

It was quickly rectified after some deliberation and the action resumed as City assistant boss, Kevin Deery handed a note with instructions for Toal.

Derry were pressing desperately to find a way back in the game and Malone's cross almost caught out Ed McGinty at the near post but the Sligo defence eventually cleared the danger.

Figueira was brought down right on the edge of the Sligo box by Will Seymore but Gerardo Bruna's curling free-kick failed to trouble the Sligo keeper.

Derry dangerman, Figueira weaved his way into space just inside the Sligo 18 yard box but his left footed effort sailed wide of the far post on 90 minutes.

Derry huffed and puffed in the end but ultimately lacked that cutting edge as Sligo moved to within a point of the Candy Stripes who remain in seventh spot.

Sligo Rovers: Ed. McGinty: D. Noone, G Buckley (J. Russell 73), K. McFadden, R. Donelan; R. de Vries, D. Cawley, N. Morahan, W. Seymore, J. Devers (A Collins 80); R. Coughlan; Subs Not Used - J. Dunleavy, M. Byrne, L. McNicholas, R. Murray, S. Lynch.

Derry City: P. Cherrie: C. McCormack, E. Toal, A. Gilchrist (M. McChrystal h-t), C. Coll: S. Mallon, C. Clifford (P. Ferry 60), C. Harkin (J. Malone 60), J. Thomson, G. Bruna; W. Figueria; Subs Not Used - N. Gartside, C. Horgan,M. Harris, R. Boyce.

Referee - Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan)