Outclassed Derry’s European adventure ends in failure in Belarus

Shakhtyor Soligorsk 5 Derry City 1

Derry City may have stunned Shakhtyor Soligorsk after just six minutes in Belarus last night, but it ended miserably for the Candystripes who sustained a disappointing heavy defeat in the Stroite Stadium.

Having lost the home leg on a 0-1 scoreline last week, Shakhtyor showed their teeth after teenager, Michael Duffy, had levelled the tie on aggregate for Peter Hutton's men.

But Derry can have no complaints with this defeat, Shakhtyor’s superior technical ability was always apparent as Derry huffed and puffed over both legs.

The visitors signalled a statement of intent when Rory Patterson’s shot on the turn was parried by keeper, Artur Kotenko, the ball breaking into the path of the advancing Duffy who hammered the rebound home.

That goal brought the teams level on aggregate. However, Derry’s delight was short-lived as Shakhtyor responded within three minutes.

Talented midfielder, Siarhei Balanovich, equalised from eight yards after the Derry defence failed to clear a teasing cross into the danger area.

Barry McNamee spurned a superb chance to move his side back into the driving seat in the 19th minute after Duffy had set him up but, from that point, the Belarusian side began to take control. And Shakhytor moved into a 2-1 lead in the 28th minute in fortuitous fashion. Offside trap

Danny Ventre raced out of his area in an attempt to close down Alexandre Guruli but the Shakhytor midfielder's shot deflected off the defender's leg to wrong-foot keeper, Ger Doherty and Derry's hopes of remaining in the Europa League began to evaporate.

To their credit, Derry players refused to allow their heads drop and Patrick McEleney scrapped the crossbar with a free-kick just after the break.

Patterson also had a chance to level matters in the 64th minute when he beat the offside trap but Kotenko saved well.

Four minutes later Shakhtyor ended this tie as a contest having caught the visitors on the break. Striker, Dmitri Osipenka used his pace to great effect and while his first shot was parried by Doherty, the striker slotted home the rebound.

Yanush made it 4-1 in the 81st minute and deep into injury time substitute, Andrei Liavonchyk completed the rout.

SHAKHTYOR SOLIGORSK: Kotenko; Kashevski, Yanushkevich, Kuvmianok; Yurevich, Guruli (Rois, 73), Matveychik; Balanovich (Liavonchyk, 85) Yanush, Osipenka (Galyuza, 79).

DERRY CITY: Doherty; Ventre, Byrne, McBride, Barry; Molloy, McNamee; Dooley (Timlin, 61), P. McEleney, Duffy (Lowry, 73); Patterson (Boyle, 79).

Referee : E. Pilva (Bosnia).