Mikhael Kennedy scores two for Derry Reserves against Cockhill Celtic
Cockhill Celtic 0 Derry City Reserves 2
A second half brace from Mikhail Kennedy, Derry City’s loan signing from Charlton Athletic FC, was the difference between the two sides at the Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds.
The first goal arrived on 50 minutes when Kennedy picked up a long diagonal pass from Alon Netzer, Derry’s Israeli defender, on the edge of the Cockhill area and made his way into the box.
As the Cockhill defenders seemed to slow his progress to goal the young forward made space to side foot the ball into the bottom left hand corner giving Gavin Cullen no chance.
Kennedy and Derry’s second goal arrived on 68 minutes when the forward robbed a defender of the ball and rounded Cullen to tap home to the empty net from 8 yards
Cockhill had started on the front foot in the game but it was Derry who looked the more dangerous in attack.
On 16 minutes Adrian Delap attacked down the right flank and after making his way to the end line cut a great ball back but Peter Doherty was on hand to clear the danger for the home side.
The resulting corner was cleared by Cockhill’s Gerard McLaughlin. McLaughlin then had a chance four minutes later at the other end but his header, from a Gerry Gill free kick, was high and wide from 12 yards.
On the half hour mark Cockhills Gerry Gill had a free from the edge of the box that was well gathered, low to his right, by Eric Grimes in the visitors goal.
Only two minutes later and this time it was Cullen diving to his left to keep out a long range effort from Derry’s Stephen Duffy.
Derry were forced into an early change on the stroke off half time when Conor McDermott was replaced by Paul Doherty.
The first goal arrived on 50 minutes when Kennedy scored his first of the game after making space in the area to side foot home from 6 yards with Cullen having no chance.
Cockhill tried to respond but Derrys defence was well on top with young Sam Todd having a very good game alongside Netzer.
Cockhill’s Derek Doherty went on a great run on 65 minutes but after pulling back a great ball from the byline to the penalty area there was no grren & white jersey to capatalise.
The second Derry goal came on 68 minutes when with Cockhill in possession a few stray passes allowed Kennedy to nick the ball and advance into the area before rounding Cullen and tapping home to the empty net.
Cockhill again tried to respond and went two up top bringing on Paul McKinney for Ryan Varma.
Ronan Doherty ‘Olly’ started to get some joy in the closing 20 minutes but Derry always had someone in defence to get a final block and in truth Grimes in the Derry goal was never troubled
Cockhill Celtic: G Cullen, J Breslin, C Duffy, P Doherty, O McColgan, G McLaughlin, D Doherty, R Varma, G Friel, G Gill, R Doherty. Subs: W O’Connor, D McDermott, C Keddy, P McKinney, J McGonagle, DM Doherty, M McLaughlin
Derry City Reserves: E Grimes, C McDermott, L McColgan, S Todd, A Netzer, C Gormley, R Wilson, A Delap, S Duffy, M Kennedy, C Farren. Subs: M McElhinney, E Tweed, M Doherty, Matty Doherty, S McNamee, P Doherty, M Duffy.
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