NFC Kesh 2 Beragh Swifts 2

Kesh Manager Scott Robinson was left frustrated at his side’s inability to convert their dominance into goals, as they wasted chance after chance in a draw against Beragh Swifts.

Kesh scored two quickfire goals at the start of the second half and looked set to cruise to victory, but Swifts pegged them back, and they had goalkeeper Peter Ward to thank for keeping his side on level terms.

“I don’t think we have been as in control of a game all season,” said Robinson.

“I don’t think Beragh were in our half for the whole game, bar the two goals, and maybe one chance after that.

“We were dominant from the start, but their keeper was superb. It must have felt like it was his birthday and wedding day and Christmas all in one. He was superb. He saved everything. It was incredible.

“I said at half time to just keep doing what we were doing and it would come. We weren’t in any danger at all. We were ripping them apart, but not scoring. We needed to finish the game off because we had enough chances.

“We were never in danger, and then we concede two goals that were as soft as you will ever see from us, but if you switch off, that is when you get punished.

“To me, we were excellent on the day. The focus is good, and the feeling is still good. You get those days sometimes.

“Credit to all the boys who came down that morning and brushed the snow off the pitch to get the game on. It’s just a pity we couldn’t reward them.”

Robinson opted to make four changes to the starting 11 from last week’s Mulhern Cup success, and it was the returning McQuade who had the first shot of the match after five minutes, but he dragged his shot wide of the post.

Cashel headed wide when well placed, and Ryan Campbell had a succession of chances, but Ward denied him twice, and when the inspired keeper could not get a touch, the post came to his rescue.

Beragh held on to reach the half time interval on level terms, but the Kesh goal finally arrived early in the second period.

Ward touched a Campbell shot around the post, but from the corner the ball fell to Beattie on the edge of the area, and he evaded two defenders before finding the bottom corner of the net.

Two minutes later they had doubled their lead when Beattie collected Walker’s through ball and lifted the ball over the advancing keeper.

With 20 minutes remaining Beragh pulled one back when they broke up field and O’Neill outpaced the defence to finish, and five minutes later they grabbed an unlikely equaliser when Koruc bundled the ball over the line.

Kesh piled forward in search of a goal that would restore their lead, but Jones was denied by Ward on numerous occasions.

Campbell and Wilson also failed to take chances that could have changed the outcome, with Beragh holding on to snatch a share of the points.