Derry City 0
Galway United 0

Galway United registered a heroic second point of the season at the Brandywell last Friday night, battling all the way for a disciplined scoreless draw.

OUTSTANDING . . . Galway United defender Wes Charles who was in superb form as Jeff Kenna's men secured a draw in the Brandywell against Derry City on Friday night.

United were led manfully from the back by the returning Wesley Charles and the goalkeeping heroics of Gary Rogers ensured the Tribesmen left Foyleside with their first clean sheet of the league campaign.

In truth, United had the better of the game and carved out more clear-cut opportunities throughout the 90 minutes. Only the introduction of Paddy McCourt on the hour swung the balance of play back in favour of the home side, but despite increased possession late on, City were unable to breach the United defence.

United had looked dangerous from the off with Vinny Faherty and Stephen O'Flynn combining well. Jay O'Shea was also prominent early on, teasing his full back but failing to produce the killer final ball.

United dominated possession for the first 15 minutes and the best chance of a drab first half fell to O'Flynn after Faherty slipped a beautiful pass down the channel. O'Flynn turned Peter Hutton inside-out, ghosting past the veteran centre half before ballooning his shot high and wide.

United continued to press in the second period, and the best chance of the game fell to Vinny Faherty with 18 minutes remaining. Derek O'Brien counter-attacked down the left and fed Jay O'Shea. The right winger nutmegged the full-back before swinging in a pin-point cross that found Faherty unopposed on the edge of the area, but the striker fired his shot over Gerard Doherty's crossbar.

The much-maligned Rogers turned hero in the 79th minute with an excellent point-blank reflex save from substitute Conor Sammon. The Derry striker found himself in prime position six yards out but remarkably saw his snap-shot saved. Sammon then fluffed the rebound and the ball spilled to the feet of McCourt, whose shot squirted wide.

In a much-improved performance, the influence of Kenna was plain to be seen in the showing of the back four. They consistently held a good line and where long booming passes had previously caused panic, Charles and Fitzgerald foiled the Derry attackers all night.

Regi Nooitmeer looked composed and attacked frequently down the right, while John Russell on his return from injury, provided the required invention in the middle of the park.

Derry City: Doherty; McCallion, Huton, Gray, Higgins; McHugh (Sammon, 66), Molloy (McGlynn, 75), Farren, Morrison (McCourt, 60); Maginn, Delaney.

Galway United: Rogers; Nooitmeer, Fitzgerald, Charles, McCulloch; Russell, O'Shea, Deegan, O'Brien (Fenn, 75); O'Flynn (Glynn, 82), Faherty (Leech, 84)

Booked: O'Brien, McCulloch

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).

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