Lisbellaw United 5 Enniskillen Athletic 1

Lisbellaw hit five goals last Saturday to see off the challenge of Enniskillen Athletic but in truth it could have been more.

And at the same time it could have been a tighter ending had Tiarnan McKenna’s effort not sailed the wrong side of the post with 10 minutes to play.

The win moves Lisbellaw into second in the table, a point behind Enniskillen Rangers, but for Athletic, they now sit bottom after Magheraveely’s win over Castlederg United lifted them from the foot of the table.

As Lisbellaw manager, Kyle McCleery put it: “I’m very happy to get another three points, it keeps our run going. At 3-1 we missed a bagful of chances and Athletic nearly hit us on the break when Tiarnan McKenna had a good chance from the edge of the box.

“So I’d be a bit critical about our finishing and the amount of chances we missed, but credit to their keeper for a number of excellent saves, and a couple of goal line clearances too.

“But I felt we played good football overall and I’m very pleased with how we are ticking along lately.”

Scott Moutray opened the scoring after nine minutes.

Craig Johnston was played in over the top by a fine ball from Jamie Coalter and he squared the ball for the striker to tap in.

Four minutes later however, the sides were level.

Glenn Treacy’s corner was met by Ciarán Flaherty who headed to the net.

And then just a couple of minutes later, Lisbellaw won a corner.A scramble in the box was not dealt with and Athletic players were slow to get out.The ball was played back in to the box and Coalter was onside and he smashed the ball home, 2-1.

Lisbellaw did have some half chances before they increased their lead in 32nd minute.

Again Johnston whipped the ball in and Moutray was there again to flick the ball home.

It would remain 3-1 up until the 85th minute, and Lisbellaw will be wondering how.

Athletic keeper, Darragh Burke, made a string of fine saves, Flaherty cleared a ball of the line as well as a number of chances went amiss.

It could have all came back to haunt them as substitute McKenna did well to get on the end of a through ball but his shot sailed wide of the post.

But in the 85th minute a free kick mades its way to Coalter at the back post and played the ball back across goal for Paul McGrath to head home.

And then in injury time, McGrath capitalised on a poor clearance to race through before squaring for Moutray to complete his hat-trick as it finished 5-1.

Athletic manager, Darren Rodgers, did not have any issues with the result: “It didn’t help the referee was 20 mins late for kick off. No complaints about result though.

“We got caught with an early goal, but drew level from a corner, a good delivery and great header. Their second goal was strange as we had a player down with a head injury from a clash of heads, but some how the ref played on and they scored from it. Lisbellaw got a well worked 3rd goal just before half time.

“The second half was nip and tuck. Both teams had chances. Lisbellaw hit the bar and John Joe Strain missed a great chance with the goal at his mercy.

“Then Tiarnan McKenna flashed wide of the post with 10mins to go at 3-1. Unfortunately Lisbellaw hit two late goals to kill the game.”