Europa League: Derry City 4-0 Aberystwyth Town

Derry City will be confident of a place in the second qualifying round of the Europa League after a big 4-0 win over Welsh Premier side Aberystwyth Town.

Patrick McEleney shot the League of Ireland side ahead on 15 minutes.

Aberystwyth had keeper Mike Lewis sent-off for bringing down Rory Patterson who scored the resulting penalty.

Mark Timlin scored Derry's third early in the second half and Barry McNamee wrapped up the convincing victory, slotting in a late left-foot shot.

The second leg is on Thursday, 10 July and should see Peter Hutton's side confirm their place against FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk of Belarus in the second qualifying round.

Derry defender Aaron Barry insisted the Candystripes will not be sitting back in the second leg, despite their comfortable lead.

"4-0 is a good result in the first leg, and we are happy with the clean sheet, but it is 0-0 in the second leg and we will go out to win that game," he said.

"They (Aberystwyth) are only coming into their pre-season so we knew we would have the fitness advantage.

"We were confident in ourselves and when you play football like we did, with the belief that we have, you're always going to get goals."

Derry could have won the first leg by even more as substitute keeper Philip Draper made a string of fine saves.

City took the lead when McEleney broke into the box and kept his composure to squeeze a left-foot shot past Lewis.

Keeper Lewis was then sent-off on 24 minutes for fouling striker Patterson and Draper was beaten from the spot.

The third goal was young winger Timlin's first for the Candystripes and it was a great strike, a left-footed effort from 25 yards.

Draper then made a fine save from McEleney and seconds later Patterson hit the bar.

Near the end, McNamee got Derry's fourth, rolling in a cool finish.

Derry City: Doherty, McBride, Byrne, Barry, Jarvis, Molloy, Timlin (Tracey 68), Barry McNamee, Duffy, Patterson (Boyle 82), Patrick McEleney (Lowry 76).

Subs not used: Gallagher, Shane McEleney, Ventre, Curran.

Aberystwyth: Lewis, Chris Davies (Morgan 66), Stuart Jones, David Thomas, Cledan Davies, Corbisiero, Venables, Sherbon, Kellaway, Mark Jones, Craig Williams (Draper 25).

Subs not used: Atyeo, James, Rhydian Davies, Butler.