Enniskillen Town 8 Magheraveely 2

Enniskillen Town warmed up for this Saturday’s big Mulhern Cup quarter final derby clash against Enniskillen Rangers at the Ball Range with a resounding victory over a Magheraveely side who have now dropped into the relegation places in the Mercer League table.

Town put eight past the struggling away side at the Forum and it comes on the back of the seven they scored against Enniskillen Rovers a week previous in the last round of the cup.

Joint manager Rory Judge admits that they are in good goal scoring form but he says that will count for nothing on Saturday when they travel across town to take on Rangers.

“It’s always good to get a few goals albeit last week was against a Division Three side.

“On Saturday though it was surprising to score eight as Magheraveely are always a side who have been tough opponents for us.

“I think that, taking out the Strathroy game in the Junior Cup, our form has been pretty good in recent months but all that goes out the window in a derby game,” said Judge, who is expecting a tight encounter as the sides do battle for a place in the last four.

“I honestly believe that there is going to be very little between the sides and I think there will be a bit more bite to it than the 0-0 game we played out there in the league.

“It makes for an intriguing tie and we’re happy to be away form home because it is going to be on a good, big surface,” he added.

The surface at the Lakeland Forum for the Magheraveely game was not one that lent itself to quality football but a rampant Town produced some excellent goals as they eased to the points.

With only nine minutes gone the home side took the lead as Conor Watson got in behind the Magheraveely defence before unleashing a well struck shot that crashed off the underside of the croasbar before Michael Simpson slotted home the rebound.

The away side though hit back to level as Town goalkeeper Gary Doherty was undone by the strong breeze with Joe Williamson’s speculative effort finishing across the line to leave it 1-1.

However, Town were back in front on the half hour mark as Freemanand Lilley combined to tee up Johnny Hoy to make it 2-1. And Cathal Beacom made it 3-1 at half time with a clinical finish from 14 yards.

Beacom made it 4-1 on the restart, slotting home the rebound after his spot kick was saved and Watson lashed home the fifth.

Beacom then claimed his hat-trick with a left foot effort before Magheraveely bagged their second through Angus Frazer.

There was still time for another couple of goals for the home side as Beacom netted his fourth of the day and full back Conor Tummon rounded things off when he nodded home number eight to round off an easy win for the Town.