UEFA CUP QUALIFYING ROUND, FIRST LEG:
APOEL Nicosia 2 (Kowalczyk 21, Okkarides 54)
Derry City 1 (Beckett 43)
A priceless Gary Beckett strike, Derry’s first away goal in Europe for over 30 years, sees Dermot Keely’s side still very much in the UEFA Cup qualifying round.
Having gone down to a 21st minute strike from Polish striker Wojciech Kowalczyk, Derry rallied thanks to two excellent saves from new keeper Neil Bennett. Beckett combined with Michael Holt in stifling heat to equalise on 43 minutes and put himself into the history books alongside Bobby Gilbert, scorer in Derry’s 1966 tie with Norwegians SFK Lyn.
APOEL seemingly settled for the one goal lead following defender Stelios Okkarides’ header on 54 minutes. Derry’s Sean Hargan did have the ball in the Nicosia net but had his effort ruled out for offside.
Gareth McGlynn came on for veteran Liam Coyle as Derry’s man-of-the-match Eddie McCallion marshalled the back four superbly.
Manager Dermot Keely described it afterwards as one of those special nights. ‘They are better than us technically but we showed fantastic commitment. We rode our luck a bit, but when I changed things around a bit, over the last 20 minutes, I felt they ran out of ideas.’