Derry City Reserves hit four second-half goals for a comfortable Four Lanterns USL win over Bonagee United at Dry Arch Park.
Bonagee United 0 Derry City Reserves 4
A brace from Ray native Adrian Delap – who is tipped to make a push for the City first team this year – saw Derry cruise after Shane McNamee put the Candystripes in front early in the second half.
A late own goal from Glenn Gallagher compounded the woe for Bonagee, who had been well in the game at the interval.
Scoreless at that point, the game was balanced on the edge of a blade, but when McNamee cut open the deadlock, just 90 seconds into the new half, it was all Derry.
A deep cross from the left-hand side wasn’t dealt with by Bonagee ‘keeper Paddy Quigley and, from Delap’s prod back, McNamee steered home.
Just 11 minutes later, with Bonagee’s rearguard absent, Delap surged into the box and planted a determined effort across Quigley into the far corner to double the lead.
Delap had been involved early in the game, teeing up a chance for Connor Gormley, who saw a well-struck shot parried by Quigley.
Bonagee promised plenty, but delivered little in the final third in the opening period.
Deano Larkin forced Daniel Houghton into a save but the hosts – on the back of two wins in their last two outings – lacked a cutting edge.
They almost paid a price when badly caught to a routine ball over the top. Dylan Devine took control, but lost his footing at the vital moment and Quigley was able to save.
John Quigg made three changes at the break and they paid off in double quick time. It was from a delivery by one of the replacements, Matty Doherty, that another, McNamee, was able to apply the finish to break the duck.
Just after the hour, Delap extended the deficit to three when, after Quigley could only parry McNamee’s shot, the right-flanker tucked home.
Ten minutes from the end, again from a ball in from Derry’s right channel, Gallagher put through his own goal to put the tin hat on the afternoon.
Bonagee United: Paddy Quigley, Glenn Gallagher, Ciaran Daffan, Caillin McLaughlin, Sean Hume, Mark Harkin, Michael Funston, Jamie Lynagh, Kevin Barr, Dean Larkin, Matty Harkin. Subs: Aaron Wasson for Larkin (69), Jack Murphy for Lynagh (85).
Derry City: Daniel Houghton, Rhys McDermott, Scott Whiteside, Lee McColgan, Evan Tweed, Adrian Delap, Connor Gormley, Dylan Devine, Callum Boyle, Cathal Farren, Sean McBride. Subs: Kieran Farren for Whiteside (half-time), Shane McNamee for Devine (half-time), Matty Doherty for Boyle (half-time), Danny McGlynn for McBride (60), Ethan Harkin for McColgan (64).
Referee: Michael Connolly.
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