Orchard Farm 3 Lisnaskea Rovers 2

Orchard Farm continued their fine form to climb from seventh to fifth in Division Two. Farm are now seven points clear of the relegation zone after a 3-2 victory over Lisnaskea Rovers on Saturday.

A Fergal McKenna brace and a Sean Quigley penalty were enough to take the win despite Brian McDermott and Seamie Quigley grabbing goals for the visitors. Saturday’s hosts are now just one spot behind Lisnaskea as player/manager Stewart Armstrong continues to guide the club out of a rat race at the bottom with safety now in touching distance.

“Saturday’s game was really pleasing, we seemed to have turned a corner,” Armstrong said.

“We’ve put in some really solid performances recently and Saturday was probably the perfect example of us going into a game with a bit more confidence and belief.

“We’re not out of the deep water yet, I think one more win will make us mathematically safe, so we’ll look to pick up points the following Saturday (away to Mountjoy United) after next.”

A lack of communication at the back for ‘Skea allowed Farm to grab the opener as the ball dropped kindly for McKenna who tapped home for a perfect start after ten minutes.

Neither side threatened each other’s goal for the following 15 minutes with Farm enjoying most of the ball in the centre of the park as Jordan Newell and Scott Armstrong put in yet another tireless performance in the engine room.

However, Lisnaskea did respond just before the break as a Seamie Quigley free kick was parried by Farm goalkeeper Kuba Isbaner and Brian McDermott, similar to McKenna at the other end, tapped home to make it 1-1 on the stroke of half time.

Just before the hour mark McKenna was brought down in the Rovers penalty box and Sean Quigley stepped up to make it 2-1. Despite a good Lisnaskea response, Farm were able to double their advantage as Quigley’s vicious strike was saved by the Lisnaskea goalkeeper only for McKenna to follow up and make it 3-1.

Lisnaskea threw everything they had at the Farm defence in search of a way back into the game and they eventually got it when Seamie Quigley converted a penalty.

But Rovers were unable to find a leveller despite a late onslaught as Farm held on for their fourth win in their last five games.