Enniskillen Town 1 NFC Kesh 0

Enniskillen Town maintained their winning start to the season as a first half Frank Wallace goal secured the points against NFC Kesh at St. Michael’s Pavilion on Saturday.

Wallace’s close-range finish came late in the first half and although the visitors applied pressure after the break, they couldn’t find an equaliser as Town made it three wins out of three.

Town joint manager James McKenna felt his side weren’t at their best on Saturday but is pleased with the start his side have made to the season.

“It is definitely the start that we wanted,” he said.

“This was our toughest test so far but to have kept another clean sheet is very pleasing.

“We were not at our best on Saturday, but I thought we were reasonably comfortable at the back and we had a few chances at the other end.

“By and large we would be happy with the start we have made.”

It was a disjointed week for Kesh with Scott Robinson parting company with the club on Thursday.

Chairman Nicky Noble stepped into the manager’s role for the game, and he felt that Kesh were unlucky to come away empty handed from the game.

“It was a game of two halves, Town had the better of the first half and I felt that we had the better of the second. We weren’t at the races in the first half, but the boys really lifted it in the second and I thought a draw would have been a fair result,” he said.

It was the home side who dominated possession in the opening period although it was Kesh who had the first real chance as Ryan Campbell latched on to a misplaced pass by Brendan Lilley but he failed to trouble Pat Cadden in the Town goal.

Town then had a chance to open the scoring when Wallace was put through but he found the top of the netting with Kesh keeper Stefan McCusker stranded.

At the other end Kesh appealed for a penalty when Ryan Beatty went down in the box, but referee Barry Monaghan waved away their appeals.

Town were creating the better chances and Kane Connor had the next opportunity ten minutes before the break but he snatched at his shot.

However, Connor was involved in what proved to be the winner at the end of the first half. He burst past a defender and got a strong shot away that McCusker could only parry out with Wallace pouncing to slot home from close range to give the home side the advantage at the interval.

Kesh did come more into the game in the second half although Town remained a threat with Cathal Beacom firing just over the bar.

Kesh did up the pressure as the half continued, forcing a series of corners but the Town rearguard, marshalled by Ryan McCluskey, stood firm.

The home side felt that they had a strong penalty claim when Connor was upended but again Monaghan was unmoved.

Kesh continued to press as the game entered the final quarter but the dismissal of Darren McQuade for a second yellow left Town able to see the game out with Wallace’s goal enough to seal the points.

Next up for Town is a game away to Killen Rangers and it is one that McKenna is wary of.

“Killen have caused us problems over the last couple of seasons and it is a place that we struggle at times so we know it will be a tough game,” he said.

Town also moved to strengthen their squad with the addition of Duwayne McManus, who ended a short stint at Kesh by joining the Enniskillen club.

“I know Mono a long time and he will add quality and you can never have enough good players,” said McKenna.

“On the whole we have quite a young group and the experience that Mono and Mattie Holden brings is invaluable as well.”