Lisbellaw United 1 Beragh Swifts 2

Beragh Swifts picked up their fourth win in Division One with a 2-1 victory away to Lisbellaw United last weekend.

Eamon McGrath netted a brace in the second half to cancel out Sam Lindsay’s first-half strike for Lisbellaw.

The win gives Beragh an identical record to Lisbellaw, with the latter ahead on goal difference in the league standings.

Beragh got off to a good start, but it was Lisbellaw who came close to opening the scoring five minutes into the first half. Richard Woods found himself in an advanced position, but he blasted his shot high and wide.

Beragh were able to carve out a chance of their own midway through the half, but Sam McKelvey volleyed his shot wide.

Luke Henderson also went close moments later, Lee McCullagh delivered a cross to the back post but Henderson’s header flew over the crossbar.

Lisbellaw responded with a shot from Jamie Coalter but his strike was well saved by Peter Ward in goal.

After an even first half that wasn’t short of chances, Sam Lindsay opened the scoring for the home side as Scott Moutray fired in a low cross from the right which found Lindsay and he slotted the ball into the net to send his side one goal to the good going into half time.

Beragh became the more dominant team as the game wore on and they found an equaliser through McGrath as he evaded a tackle from Woods and rolled the ball past Lisbellaw goalkeeper Sam McDonald from the edge of the box.

McKelvey almost added a quick second but his shot from distance sailed over the crossbar.

The visitors struggled to deal with the movement of Woods up front and he went close with a shot that just drifted off target.

A wonder-goal from McGrath though would be the difference between the sides.

With just over ten minutes to go, he picked up the ball 40 yards from goal and looked up before trying his luck and lobbing McDonald between the sticks to give his side the win.

Lisbellaw manager Kyle McCleery said after the game: “The game was settled by a moment of brilliance worthy of winning any game.

“Obviously, I am disappointed to come away with nothing after being in the lead for so long.

“I couldn’t fault the lads for effort, and we were undone by a superb goal, credit where credit is due it was a goal right out of the top drawer.”