Derry City fight back to earn Europa Conference League first-leg spoils over KuPs

Derry City deservedly came from behind to defeat Finnish side KuPS Kuopio 2-1, at a packed Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

Trailing to Axei Vidjeskog's penalty, second half goals from Will Patching and Cian Kavanagh secured the memorable European success. The Candystripes, who deserved to win by a bigger margin, will travel to Finland for next week's second leg encounter confident that they can continue their Europa Conference League adventure.

FULL MATCH DETAILS

The visitors went close in the opening minutes when Axei Vidjeskog's close range header at the back post was blocked on the line by City centre-back Mark Connolly. City created an opening on 14 minutes but Ben Doherty's 20-yard strike, which was well hit, was saved at the second attempt by KuPS goalkeeper Johannes Kreidl.

The combination of woodwork and Kreidl denied Derry taking the lead moments later as Patrick McEleney's lovely pass found Ronan Boyce inside the box, but the right-back's attempted chip was tipped onto the bar by the KuPS keeper.

On 21 minutes Boyce went close again, this time his looping header, at the back post from Brandon Kavanagh's left wing cross, clipped the crossbar before sailing over. The visitors were rightfully awarded a penalty right on the stroke of half-time after Mark Connolly had handled Urho Nissilä's goalbound shot inside the box. Referee Robertas Valikonis pointed to the spot and Vidjeskog made no mistake from 12 yards, slotting the ball low into Brian Maher's bottom left hand corner.

Derry boss Ruaidhri Higgins would have wanted a response from his players in the second half and they went close to levelling on 52 minutes but Brandon Kavanagh's curling right footed strike was well saved by Kreidi.

On 60 minutes a clever pass