Enniskillen Town joint manager James McKenna felt that their bench was the difference in last Thursday night’s cup semi-final win against Enniskillen Rangers which could have gone either way as Town set up a final meeting against Strathroy Harps.
Rangers had taken a deserved half time lead through Mark Cutler but they failed to add to their lead when they were on top and Town hit back through Eoin Beacom to level.
And substitute Kane Connor snatched the win at the death for Town with a crisp finish.
“We would feel that the bench won us the game on the night. We have a strong squad and there was a lot of quality to call on and they all made an impact,” said McKenna.
However, he admits it was a game that could have gone either way.
“It was exactly what we expected it to be, it could really have gone either way,” said McKenna, who was delighted with their response in the second half.
“We were trailing at half time so it was important for us to find a response and we did that in the second half which was very pleasing.
“Rangers had a couple of chances when it was 1-0 and Pat [Cadden] made a couple of good saves and if they had gone 2-0 up we could have been in trouble. But, once we got back level I felt we were well on top, we put them under pressure and Kane came up with a fine finish to win it. We are delighted to be in the final.”
Rangers manager Michael Kerr was disappointed with the defeat but acknowledges that failure to add to the lead was costly on the night.
“The defeat was very disappointing and it is hard to take after conceding so late in the game although we did feel that there was an offside in the build up to it.
“Look, it comes down to fine margins at times and we had chances that we didn’t take and that has cost us but I couldn’t have asked for any more from the boys, they emptied the tank and give it their all. It was disappointing but that’s football.”
The sides are set to meet again tonight (Thursday) in what is a key league encounter for Town and McKenna is expecting another big test even though Rangers have nothing to play for in terms of the league.
“It is another massive game. Rangers will have no pressure at all on them so they can go out and play football and we will be preparing for another tough game.
“We will have to be at our best to get a win,” said McKenna.
For Kerr, these final couple of games is an opportunity to look ahead to next season.
“I want to give our young lads a taste of what a local derby is like and see how they cope with a game of that magnitude. I will be looking for a good performance,” he added.
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