Benson’s goal sets Dundalk on stroll

THE Dundalk express breezed through the Brandywell last night, but on this occasion Stephen Kenny’s men never really reached top gear. Having scored four goals against Derry for the second time this season, Kenny will be delighted that his charges failed to concede on this occasion. However, Derry could have opened the scoring in the 24th minute, when Rory Hale found Rory Patterson before his neat back-heel set up the advancing Aaron McEneff, but the midfielder’s low shot was turned around his post by an alert Gary Rogers. But it was Dundalk who got off the mark in the 41st minute. A shot from Michael Duffy was superbly blocked by Conor McDermott but the ball broke to Robbie Benson and his 15-yard effort was fumbled in by Ger Doherty at his near post. Dundalk doubled their lead in the 63rd minute, Pat Hoban’s header crashed off the crossbar but the loose ball broke to Dylan Connolly, who lashed it home from 12 yards. In the 74th minute it was 3-0 as Derry heads continued to drop, Hoban’s shot deflected in for good measure. Michael Duffy got Dundalk’s fourth when substitute, Krisztian Adorjan dinked the ball over the home defence and Duffy’s strike was sublime DERRY CITY: G Doherty; McDonagh, Toal, McDermott, Doyle; Ronan Hale, Cole, Rory Hale, B Doherty; McEneff; Patterson (Farren 69). DUNDALK: Rogers; Hoare, Cleary, Gartland, Massey; Connolly (Adorjan 80) , Shields (Gannon 74), Benson, Duffy; McGrath (Murray 83); Hoban. Scorers: Benson 41, Connolly 62, Hoban 73, Duffy 81. Referee: P McLaughlin (Donegal) .