Enniskillen Athletic 2-1 Beragh Swifts

Enniskillen Athletic took a step closer to safety in the Mercer League with a 2-1 win over Beragh Swifts at the Lakeland Forum on Saturday.

The win sees Athletic close the gap on Beragh in the league table to two points and move four points away from Magheraveely, who reside just above the bottom two.

Jake Smith’s free kick handed Darren Rodgers’ side all three points after John-Joe Strain had cancelled out Stephen Browne’s early opener.

“Very happy with the win,” Rodgers said after the game.

“It was a good performance in poor weather conditions. We defended well and scored two very good goals. It’s a massive three points for us in trying to stay up.

"We have a big game this coming weekend against Lisbellaw who have been flying in the league this year.”

Beragh played the first half with a strong breeze at the Lakeland Forum 4G and used the conditions to make a bright start with Browne opening the scoring after just 10 minutes.

Pinball around the middle of the park ended with Kris Hamilton looping the ball in behind Athletic’s defence for Browne to chase after and he struck his shot high into the net for 1-0.

Athletic grew into the game after the early goal with both sides sharing possession for the remainder of the half and with little to show for it.

The home side had a shout for a penalty turned down for a high foot when Luke Flanagan took down a high ball in the box but it was then cleared by the Swifts' defence.

Goalkeeper James Maguire was forced into a couple of comfortable saves as the visitors threatened in behind again.

However, Athletic found an equaliser on the stroke of halftime, with their first shot on target, as a misplaced pass by a Beragh defender was picked up by Strain in the final third and he drove towards the box before unleashing a rocket across goal into the top left corner for a stunning leveller.

The possession was even in the second half again with both goalkeepers forced into making saves but the hosts found their winner with just over 15 minutes to go.

Flanagan was brought down on the edge of the box and Jake Smith’s left-footed free kick was placed perfectly back across goal to make it 2-1.

Beragh looked to pounce on the counterattack and almost equalised when Browne had a shot saved low by Maguire from close range and Paul Coulter reacted first to clear the ball off the line as Athletic held on for a vital victory.