Wallace hits four as Town take derby spoils

Frank Wallace bagged four goals as Enniskillen Town returned to winning ways on Saturday as they took the spoils in a goal-laden derby encounter at the Lakeland Forum.

Athletic had got off to the perfect start to the contest when they took the lead with only one minute on the clock through Colm McNally, but Town responded well to the setback as the rain came down heavily, and by the 15th minute they led 3-1 thanks to a Kane Connor double and Wallace’s first of the game.

And they added to their advantage through a Beacom penalty, while Wallace made it 5-1 although Garvan Quigley pulled a goal back for the home side before half time.

The visitors maintained their cushion throughout the second half as Wallace netted a further two goals while Luke Flanagan hit a brace for Athletic as it finished 7-4.

“It was good to bounce back from dropping points the previous week,” said Town joint Manager, Rory Judge.

“It is one of those games that you are always wary of because it is a derby game and then when they scored after a minute you are thinking, ‘It is going to be one of those days’, but we scored 90 seconds later and that got us going.

“It is back to winning ways and that was the important thing,” he added.

However, Town face a much sterner test this Saturday when they host champions Tummery Athletic, with the Dromore side yet to drop any points in the campaign.

“It is a massive test for us,” said Judge. “We are still without the vast majority of our GAA lads, so taking that into consideration it has been a decent start to the season but we have to be looking for the three points on Saturday as although we are top of the table, Tummery have games in hand and have a 100 per cent record.”

Performance

Athletic Manager Darren Rodgers was happy enough with his side’s performance on Saturday but felt that they made too many mistakes and they were punished for them.

“We played well enough on Saturday; just too many mistakes cost us goals, and when you make mistakes against a good side, you’re punished.

“We had a stone wall penalty not given and a goal disallowed, and on the plus side we created a good few chances and had a few players back.”

Athletic made the dream start as McNally fired home from an acute angle on the left-hand side after only one minute.

Town’s reply though was instant as Kane Connor tapped home after the ball spilled into his path.

Connor then doubled his and Town’s tally when he slotted home from a ball from the left and Wallce made it 3-1 with a good first-time finish.

Town continued to look threatening when they attacked and it was soon 4-1 as Beacom converted from the spot after Wallace was taken down and Wallace grabbed his second with a curling finish to make it 5-1.

It was Athletic though who recorded the best goal of the half with a lovely finish beyond Pat Cadden.

Town had their sixth early in the second half as Wallace completed his hat-trick and while the impressive Flanagan netted twice for Athletic, Wallace scored again for Town as it finished 7-4