Mixed emotions for Patterson as Derry City put Aberystwyth Town to sword

Derry City 4, Aberystwyth Town 0 Derry City may have produced a stunning performance at the Brandywell last night when putting Aberystwyth Town to the sword in the Europa League, but for striker, Rory Patterson, it will be a case of mixed emotions.

In fact, the club’s star striker could have netted a double hat-trick on another night but poor finishing and, indeed, a superb performance by the Welsh side’s reserve keeper, combined to deny the Strabane man.

However, in the 14th minute, Derry deservedly broke the deadlock when the excellent Patrick McEleney displayed great calmness to turn a defender before curling a low shot through a forest of legs and into the Aberystwyth net.

The turning point arrived in the 22nd minute when the visitors were dealt a killer blow.Michael Duffy played Patterson into a one-on-one situation with keeper, Michael Lewis who brought the striker down.

Danish referee, Mads-Kristofferson, immediately pointed to the spot and, to the surprise of many, pulled out the red card sending the visiting keeper off and Aberystwyth Town were in serious difficulty.

Patterson despatched the spotkick with aplomb in the 24th minute and the home side appeared to be on their way to an easy victory. But reserve keeper Philip Draper had other ideas, denying McEleney's two thunderbolt shots before the first half ended.

And Derry refused to ease off following the change of ends when Timlin was rewarded for his endeavour when he let fly from 30 yards in the opening attack to make it 3-0.

In the 58th minute the excellent McEleney timed his run to perfection to beat the offside trap but when he unselfishly set-up Patterson the striker lashed the ball against the keeper. And Patterson missed another ‘sitter’ minutes later.

Barry McNamee ended the rout five minutes from the end when he calmly passed the ball over the line as the Welsh side failed dismally to clear their lines. DERRY CITY: Doherty; Jarvis, Byrne, McBride, Barry; Timlin (Tracey, 68), McNamee, Molloy, Duffy; P McEleney (Lowry, 76); Patterson (Boyle, 81). ABERYSTWYTH TOWN: Lewis; Chris Davies (Morgan, 66), Thomas, S. Jones, Cledan Davies; Kellaway, Sherbon, Venables, Corbisiero, Williams (Draper, 24); M. Jones. Referee: Mads-Kristofferson (Dermark).