Will Patching hopes first senior goal opens the goalscoring floodgates for Derry City

The Candy Stripes’ struggles in front of goal have been well documented with just four goals from the opening seven games as defender Cameron McJannet tops the club’s scoring charts with two.

Patching was delighted to bag his first for the club against Sligo from the penalty spot and is confident the team possesses enough firepower and creative spark to cause Bohemians problems at Dalymount Park tonight.

“It was good to finally get three points and hopefully we can kick on from here,” said the former Man City Academy playmaker.

“We felt a win was coming. because were playing better so it was good to finally dig it out. It was tough but hopefully we can take that into the Bohs game and get another win. It was nice to get off the mark with a goal too,” he added.

“We do need to create more from open play and get the strikers and midfielders on the scoresheet. It’s been the defenders chipping in so far.

“That was my first professional goal as well so hopefully in the next few games I get a few more.”

That’s one goal and two assists in his six appearances so far but City boss Ruaidhri Higgins wasn’t surprised with Patching’s confidence when tucking away the winner.

“People forget Will is a very young lad,” said Higgins, “He had an amazing upbringing at Man City and played for England underage. I know all about him. I worked with him at Dundalk and he’s a really gifted footballer.

“I actually love working with Will and can’t wait to work more with him. I’ve seen him hit penalties before and had no doubt when he stepped up that he was going to score.

“To take on that responsibility at such a young age is admirable. Will is a very good player and a good lad as well. He’s a natural footballer who can play different types of passes and can score goals.”

The Derry manager has been busy on the training pitch this week attempting to fine-tune Derry’s attack and insists it’s only a matter of time before his forward players get in on the goalscoring act.

“I want my players at the top end of the pitch to embrace their responsibilities and make things happen for us because they are more than capable of it.”

Patching has his own targets but for now he’s just hoping to help the team clinch back-to-back wins.

“I just want to get as many as I can and push towards those double figures, especially with assists. I’m on two now so I’ll keep going with goals and assists and see how it goes.

“Ruaidhri has been top class and the lads are a great bunch so we’ll be fine. It will be tough against Bohs. They have good players but so have we. Anything could happen so we’ll see.”