Enniskillen Athletic 3 Magheraveely 2

Enniskillen Athletic battled their way to a hard earned victory over Magheraveely last Saturday thanks to three second half goals.

It is the second win of the season for Athletic who were missing a raft of players.

Anthony Fitzpatrick, Atheltic manager was glad to take another three points after an unconvincing start to the game.

“I am delighted with the three points.

“We started poorly but I thought we deserved it with our second half performance.

“It was not a game for the purists,” Fitzpatrick added.

The visitors were to draw first blood and took an early lead in somewhat controversial circumstances.

A foul was committed on a Magheraveely player just outside the box with the ball falling to centre midfielder Joe Williamson.

However, the referee blew his whistle to call play back with Williamson shooting unopposed from outside the box as the Athletic players stopped.

He found the bottom corner with the referee awarding the goal despite the protests from the home side.

It would remain 1-0 for the rest of the half, with neither side really troubling the respective keepers.

Andrew Little and David Elliott caused a few problems for Athletic, with Elliott blasting a header over.

While at the other end John Joe Strain and Ciarán Flaherty missed chances as Athletic looked for a way back into the match.

It was to be a great start for Athletic to the second half as they turned the game on its head with two goals in quick succession.

Glenn Treacy raced in at the back post to tap in after a cross had been headed on.

And this was followed up with a fine finish from Conor McAloon who took a long ball over the top under control before firing across the keeper to make it 2-1.

The home side were in control of matters but Magheraveely did have some chances with George Williamson pouncing on a mistake in the Athletic defence but his attempted lob went over the bar.

Magheraveely were level midway through the half when they were awarded a penalty after Dermot Lewsley upended Elliott who dusted himself off to put Ryan McNulty the wrong way.

Athletic pushed for a winner but they could not find a way through until a rasping shot from Colm McNally was pushed onto the crossbar by Connor Smith.

The ball stayed in play and was picked up by Frank Rafferty who was pushed over inside the box with the referee pointing to the spot.

Darren Rodgers stepped up and found the top corner to make it 3-2 and Athletic were able to close out the match and take the points.