Mark Timlin scored two goals to help Derry seal their first win in the league since April
IT is normally unlucky for some but for Derry City the number 13 came up trumps for them tonight at the Brandywell.
For the Candystripes earned their first win in 13 SSE Airtricity Irish Premiership Division games against seventh placed Longford Town.
Now the fans will be hoping the No 13 will be the start in a change in fortunes for Derry City after a poor run of results – it was their first win since April.
But tonight manager Peter Hutton changed his team’s formation to a 3-5-2 system and it seemed to work to his side’s advantage.
Two Mark Timlin goals helped them clinch an impressive 3-0 win over Longford Town – and three valuable points
Derry took the lead on nine minutes as Longford defender Rhys Gorman turned a Stephen Dooley cross into his own net.
Timlin notched Derry’s second goal from a spectacular 25-yard shot on 20 and then completed the scoring on 77.
New signing Conor McCormack impressed in the middle of the park, putting a bit of steel in the team.
And maybe even new assistant manager Paul ‘Higgsy’ Hegarty return to the dugout has helped Derry’s run of bad luck turn change for the better.
With Mark Timlin, Shane McEleney and Dooley all producing some delightful touches, Derry continued to dominate and Ryan McBride headed a great chance wide on 20 minutes.
Derry did double their lead five minutes when Timlin fired in a shot from 25 yards.
Dooley should have extended Derry’s lead four minutes before the break as he side-footed wide with only Hunt to beat.
Not surprisingly, Derry’s football was not quite as expansive in the third quarter as Gary Shaw and Don Cowan missed half chances for the visitors.
However, Derry continued to create the better chances with Dooley missing his second glorious opportunity on 70 as he allowed Hunt to save his weak shot.
But Derry’s third goal did arrive 13 minutes from time as McNamee’s perfectly-weighted pass set up a charging Timlin to score his second goal of the night.
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