Derry City secured their first league victory since August with a 2-0 win over Waterford. The Candystripes scored both goals from the spot as Conor Clifford notched a brace of penalties to pull away from the relegation battle. Waterford dominated
A David Parkhouse double sent Derry to within three points of Bohemians in third as they emphatically saw off Waterford at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Monday.
It was a comprehensive performance from Declan Devine's side following their dismal 1-0 defeat against rivals Finn Harps on Friday night last - and the exact response the Derry faithful would have wanted.
The defeat for Waterford is their 13th of this season, the entire total they suffered in the whole of 2018. City started at a ferocious pace and rarely relented during the first 10 minutes - Ciaran Coll missing a clear-cut opportunity from 10-yards after eight minutes.
Derry had fashioned a couple of promising moments just before the breakthrough. Gerardo Bruna switched the play with a well-aimed crossfield ball towards the incoming Ciaran Coll, who superbly found David Parkhouse inside the penalty area.
The firm centre-forward did remarkably well to get above the charging Mattew Connor and the battling Kenny Browne to put City into the lead with a fine nodded effort.
In fairness to Waterford responded well to their calamitous start and briefly took the game to Derry. However, two further dreadful corner routines and weak shots provided a further reminder of why Waterford haven't been able to reproduce their form of last season.
Declan Devine’s reshaped, youthful Derry side, without the services of star player Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe, was full of energy, especially Parkhouse.
The Sheffield United loanee showed his class again just before the interval when he shrugged off the Waterford defender before he lashed home a 25-yard shot into the top corner.
After the break, Derry maintained control in what was a low-key second half. In truth, it was a comfortable performance from the Candystripes as they managed to pick off a Waterford who offered very little going forward.
