Enniskillen Town 5 Castlederg United 2

 

Enniskillen Town bounced back from last week’s derby defeat to Enniskillen Rangers with a 5-2 win over Castlederg United at St. Michael’s Pavilion on Saturday.
Goals from Frank Wallace and Jordan Breen had Town two goals to the good by the break before Cathal Beacom and Darren Freeman extended their lead in the second half.
The visitors did hit back with efforts from Jamie Finlay and Dylan Russell but Town wrapped up the points late on as Codi Halligan volleyed home to leave it 5-2 at the finish.
Joint manager Rory Judge was simply pleased to get the win with the squad particularly stretched at the minute.
“We are treading water with regards personnel available at the minute. We had three midfielders playing in defence on Saturday and another player who was only playing their second first team game so we knew it wouldn’t be pretty. It was all about getting the three points, which we did, and now we can move on from there and see where it takes us,” said Judge.
Town got off to the perfect start to the contest as they took the lead with only two minutes on the clock.
Brendan Lilley’s ball over the top sent Wallace racing through and with the goalkeeper having hesitated after coming off his line, Wallace lifted the ball over him to the net.
Johnny Hoy then had an effort palmed away by Castlederg goalkeeper Dylan Nicholas  but the away side also offered a threat at the other end with Gary Doherty saving from Russell while Finlay then had a chance that he blazed over the top.
It was the home side though who were to go on and double their advantage 10 minutes from the interval through the lively Breen.
Town won back possession in the corner and good work by Hoy saw him roll the ball across the goal for Breen to slot home.
Both sides had early chances in the second half with Lilley firing an effort just wide from the edge of the box while Russell was denied by Doherty.
Town though went on to grab a third in the 48th minute as Beacom’s low cross from the left was spilled into his own net by goalkeeper Nicholas.
The game was then put to bed four minutes later as Town made it 4-0, substitute Freeman’s well struck effort took a slight deflection to end up in the back of the net.
In fairness to Castlederg they continued to battle and Finlay pulled a goal back for them in the 80th minute, robbing possession on the left before finishing past Doherty.
And the visitors were given a glimmer of hope when Russell made it 4-2 with five minutes left.
However, any doubts about the result were put to bed by Halligan’s fine volleyed finish from a Jamal Tavares cross to make it 5-2.
Town goalkeeper Doherty picked up a red card following an incident just before the full time whistle but his side secured the points on offer.