Lisbellaw United 2 Beragh Swifts 1
Lisbellaw United moved level on points with fourth-placed NFC Kesh after a 2-1 win over Beragh Swifts on Saturday.
It was a smash-and-grab win at Drumad as Paul McGrath equalised with five minutes to go before Sam Lindsay snatched the winner deep into injury time.
Kyle McCleery’s side closed the gap at the top as Kesh lost while Enniskillen Rangers and Killen Rangers played out a 2-2 draw at the Ball Range. Boss McCleery said his side’s win was well deserved: “I have to say Beragh defended superbly and worked hard, but I feel we more than deserved the three points with a dominant performance,” he said.
“Credit to our lads for showing great character to come from behind, and not settling for one point but pushing until we got the winner.”
Lisbellaw got off to a strong start and created a couple of early opportunities as Paul Elliott’s cross into the area found Sam Lindsay but he couldn’t steer his effort on goal.
Another chance came Lindsay’s way shortly after when he glanced wide from Craig Johnston’s corner. Scott Moutray then had a half chance that he put over the crossbar as the sides remained level half an hour in.
Eamon McGrath went close to opening the scoring for Beragh as his shot from 25 yards sailed towards goal but William McFrederick got down low to make the save.
Beragh then did take the lead just before the 40-minute mark despite seeing less of the ball. McFrederick’s throw was intercepted by Swifts and it let Luke Henderson race down the wing before skimming in a low ball that Philip Beacom put into his own net to make it 1-0 to the visitors.
It was all Lisbellaw from the start of the second half and Johnston’s deliveries were proving a problem for Beragh as he placed a cross just too far in front of Paul McGrath to make contact.
He then played another into Lindsay at the back post but his shot was blocked. From the resultant corner, Beacom headed just over when Jamie Coalter headed the ball across the box.
Moutray then watched on as his shot crashed off the crossbar with just over 15 minutes remaining. However, United eventually equalised after all their pressure as a quick free kick allowed Paul McGrath to run in and round the goalkeeper before placing the ball into the net.
The home side then found a 94th-minute winner after Paul Elliott was taken down on the edge of the box and Lindsay’s free-kick found the net via a deflection to take the points.
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