Table-toppers Derry wear down gritty hosts UCD

Derry City gave themselves a six-point cushion atop the SSE Airtricity Premier Division, disposing of a determined UCD at Belfield on Monday evening.

Second-half strikes from Will Patching and Ronan Boyce were enough to maintain the Candystripes' early season surge, preserve their unbeaten start and nudge them clear of second-placed Shamrock Rovers.

UCD defended admirably to frustrate their hosts, but were finally humbled midway through the half when Patching produced a moment of magic to place a perfect free-kick into the corner from 25-yards.

Despite their performance, the Students remain winless, rooted to the bottom of the table. However, that doesn’t paint the full picture; Andrew Myler’s students were unbeaten at home before tonight, holding Bohemians, Shelbourne and Finn Harps to scoreless draws here.

And – judging by tonight’s performance – they look capable of frustrating many more sides before the season is out.

The home side gifted Derry the first tangible chance of the evening, when they lost the ball from a throw-in well inside their own half. Jamie McGoningle was quick to collect the loose ball and lay it off to Matty Smith, however, the Scot’s shot was well saved by Lorcan Healy.

Derry improved as the game went on and nearly scored from a series of chances before the half-hour mark.

First, Cameron Dummigan’s long shot was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Healy. A minute later, McGonigle slotted a one-on-one the wrong side of the post, before Brandon Kavanagh smacked the crossbar with a looping effort from 25-yards

Fortune was on their side, but the Students were still in the game.

UCD were feeding off the counter-attacking pace of Liam Kerrigan all night, however, the 21-year-old consistently struggled to deliver