A cold Dry Arch Park was the venue for this local derby on Thursday night when Bonagee claimed all three points against a youthful Swilly.
Bonagee United 6 Swilly Rovers 1
The home side dominated throughout but all credit must go to the visitors who battled right to the end of the contest.
Early chances fell the way of the hosts, through Darren McFadden and Jordan Armstrong, but they found Jamie Blaney in good form in the Swilly nets.
The opening goal did not arrive until the 37th minute, when a cross from the left side was tapped home by Darren McMonagle.
It was two-nil in the 43rd minute. A dangerous ball to the back post by McMonagle was headed home by McFadden via the underside of the crossbar.
Bonagee scored their third five minutes after the interval.
Micheál Doherty’s ball into the box was clinically finished by McMonagle, much to the annoyance of the Swilly defence who felt the former Aileach man was in an offside position.
Swilly got a goal back in the 53rd minute, when Eoin Logue raced onto a through ball and forced Eugene Ferry into a clearance, and when it only reached Marty McDaid, the Swilly player-manager made no mistake, lobbing Ferry from 40 yards.
Bonagee got their fourth, and the goal of the game, in the 76th minute when Armstrong weaved his way into the box to chip Blaney from 20 yards.
Two late goals from Doherty added the gloss to a comprehensive win for Jason Gibsons side.
Next up for the Dry Arch men is the visit of Cockhill next weekend, while Swilly Rovers play hosts to Finn Harps Reserves.
Bonagee United: Eugene Ferry, Cody Brogan, Jamie Lynagh, Mark Harkin, Ryan Rainey, Sean Hume, Darren McMonagle, Chris Flanagan, Darren McFadden, Jordan Armstrong, Micheál Doherty. Subs used: Michael Funston, Peter Carr & Chris Breen
Swilly Rovers: Jamie Blaney, Matthew McLaughlin, Jack McCauley, Tony Gallagher, Damien Friel, Shay Durning, Ryan McDaid, Shaun Crossan, Marty McDaid, Eoin Logue, Liam Cullen
Tags:FIXTURES
Knockalla Caravans Senior Cup, Quarter-Final
Sunday, March 24, 1.30pm (extra time & pens)
Glengad United v Letterkenny Rovers
Four Lanterns Ulster Senior League
Saturday, March 23, 7pm
Bonagee United v Cockhill Celtic
Sunday, March 24, 2pm
Swilly Rovers v Finn Harps Reserves
Derry City Reserves v Fanad United