CHRIS BREEN struck to earn Bonagee United a share of the spoils against Derry City Reserves in the Donegal USL League Cup tonight.
Bonagee United 1 Derry City 1
by Chris McNulty at Dry Arch Park
Breen’s leveller, after Kevin McKinney opened the scoring with a superb volley, rescued Jason Gibson’s hosts, who were indebted to goalkeeper Eugene Ferry in the first half as he kept Derry at bay.
But Derry weren’t denied when McKinney was picked out at the far post from a corner and he riffled to the net. McKinney made no mistake with a fine strike.
It was going to take something from the top drawer to beat the on-song Ferry and his side responded soon after.
Former Finn Harps attacker Breen – who was sent in as a half-time replacement for Duncan Patterson – surged through and tucked to the net after skipping past the advancing goalkeeper Daniel Houghton.
Right at the end, with the final play of the game, Bonagee almost sneaked the win, but Gareth Breslin couldn’t get on the end of a free kick when well placed at the far post.
The Candystripes – under the direction of Mark McChrystal – drew one-all with Cockhill Celtic in their opener on Sunday-week last, with Aidy Delap cancelling out an opener from Adam Duffy.
Delap wasn’t included in the 18-man panel here, though the likes of Patrick Ferry, Brendan Barr, Jack Coyle and Jack Parke gave them an outlook of real energy.
It was Parke who carved out a tidy opening for the visitors 16 minutes in, with Jack Coyle – son of legendary Derry striker Liam – firing wide from the edge of the area.
Eugene Ferry, the Bonagee goalkeeper, saved superbly from Ferry with the follow-up by Mark McFadden also kept out by the home number 1.
Garbhan Grant fired off target from distance before the home side saw a glorious opportunity go amiss.
Grant’s attempt, with Houghton off his line, fell invitingly to Ryan Rainey at the back post. The goal might have been yawning, but Rainey’s shot, off the lesser-used left foot, was into the side netting.
Ferry saved the hosts again on the half-hour when he saved and managed to hold onto Coyle’s close-range header.
After Rainey drove wide from distance at one end, Eugene Ferry repelled another Derry attempt when he clawed away Patrick Ferry’s shot from 12 yards after Parke made the yards out on the right.
Bonagee United: Eugene Ferry; Duncan Patterson (Chris Breen 45), Mark Harkin, Gareth Breslin, Jamie Lynagh; Deano Larkin, Daniel O’Donnell, Ryan Rainey; Garbhan Grant (Peter Carr 81), Jordan Armstrong (Michael Funston 32), Micheál Doherty (Codey Brogan 81).
Derry City Reserves: Daniel Houghton; Jack Parke, Adam Taggart (Shaun McDermott 45), Kevin McKinney, Evan McLaughlin; Caoimhin Porter, (Michael Harris 45) Brendan Barr (Orin McLaughlin 57), Mark McFadden (Jason Donegan 45), Daylen Farren; Jack Coyle (Aaron McDaid 68), Patrick Ferry.
Referee: Packie Coll.
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