Lisbellaw United 1 Enniskillen Athletic 2

Enniskillen Athletic continued their unbeaten start to 2023 with a 2-1 win away to Lisbellaw on Saturday.

Goals from Garvan Quigley and a late Jake Smith strike handed Athletic their fourth win in six since January to close the gap between Saturday’s counterparts to six points with a game in hand.

Athletic manager Darren Rodgers was delighted to see his side pick up another win away from home: “Saturday wasn’t a classic by any means. Both teams cancelled each other out in midfield, and the pitch was in poor conditions for the players which didn’t help for playing football.

“In fairness, a draw was probably a fair result. But luckily, we got the win, and it moves us closer to staying up. 

“Our subs made a big difference in the second half. Caoilte Hammill, Aaron Nolan and Dermot Lewsley had excellent games.”

For Lisbellaw manager, Kyle McCleery, described last Saturday’s performance at the worst of the season.

“I’m bitterly disappointed in how we played, far and away our worst performance of the season,” he said.

“It was a really poor game of football if truth be told, so flat and lacking any real quality. I’ve told our players it wasn’t acceptable so I’ll be hoping for a much improved performance when we play Mageraveely on Saturday.”

Athletic took the lead after just five minutes, as Jake Smith picked up the ball outside the box and fed a through ball for Garvan Quigley who, with his left foot, slotted the ball into the far corner for an early opener.

Dermot Lewsley went close from a corner as his header flew just over the crossbar.

Lisbellaw were awarded a way back into the game when referee Sean Gallinagh pointed to the spot after a foul in the box. Ryan Lindsay stepped up and stroked the ball home to make it 1-1 after 15 minutes.

The home side went close to going in front when they had two goalmouth scrambles midway into the first half but Athletic were able to clear both to be only let off with a scare.

Conor Love came inches from finding a go-ahead goal before half-time, but his chipped effort sailed just over as the sides went in level at the break.

Jamie Coulter missed a decent opportunity at the start of the second as he headed off target from a free kick.

Athletic goalkeeper James Maguire was forced into action as he pushed a Lisbellaw effort around the post.

Athletic’s goal came just a few minutes from the end as Love’s free kick was dropped, and Smith was quickest to react to poke the ball home to snatch all three points.

While Lisbellaw return to league action this weekend as they play Magheraveely, Athletic face Dergview Reserves in the Mulhern Cup, with Rodgers adding: “They are Junior Cup semi-finalists, a great test for the lads and we have nothing to lose, so we are looking forward to it.”