CHAMPION’S LEAGUE: IRELAND’S DERRY CRASH OUT TO ARMENIA’S PYUNIK 0-2

Derry Journal, Ireland
articleid=3060569
July 25 2007

Champions League

Pyunik…………. 2
Derry City……… 0

DERRY CITY’S Champions League dream came to an end today as they
crashed out at the first qualifying round after a second leg defeat
by Armenian champions Pyunik in Yerevan.

After a 0-0 draw at the Brandywell, Derry needed to score in Armenia
to progress but they were hit by a goal in each half.

Arsen Avetisyan got the opener on 28 minutes after his initial effort
had been saved by City keeper Pat Jennings.

Derry perhaps deserved more from their performance and they had
a chance to equalise in the 61st minute when Darren Kelly saw his
powerful header crash off the Pyunik crossbar with Kasparov stranded.

However the Armenian side increased their lead five minutes later
when Pachajyan’s cross fell to Ghazaryan’s and his deflected shot
made it 2-0 to Pyunik.

The eircom League side felt they should have had a penalty just before
half-time when Ciaran Martyn appeared to be brought down in the area
but the referee waved away the protests.

Early in the second half Sammy Morrow latched onto a free kick deep
in the Pyunik penalty area however his left footed effort went across
the goal. Deery crossed towards Morrow once again at the back post
however the striker headed over the bar under pressure.

In the dying minutes of the second half the ‘Candy Stripes’ threatened
once again from a corner but Kelly’s header was saved on the line by
the Pyunik goalkeeper.

John Robertson’s men will be dissapointed they couldn’t capitalise on
their chances and will now have to concentrate on domestic competitions
for the remainder of the season, starting with the eircom League
match with Galway on Sunday at the Brandywell.