Fermanagh Juniors 0 County Londonderry 3
Fermanagh Junior’s hopes of winning a trophy at this year’s SuperCupNI ended with a 3-0 Globe semi-final defeat to County Londonderry in Broughshane.
Fermanagh carved out good early chances, but their county rivals scored twice in five minutes to take a grip on the match, and Fermanagh could not find a way back into the contest.
Fermanagh took some time to settle into the last four clash and it was Londonderry who created the game’s first goal-scoring opportunity when Liam Kelly skipped past two challenges on the right and fired in a shot from an angle but Jake Agnew palmed his effort around the post.
That scare sparked Fermanagh into life, and top scorer Jay Ely received a pass on the edge of the penalty area from Kimi Thompson and rolled the defender, but his shot flew just wide of the post.
Fermanagh were looking the more likely to score and a minute later Ely came even closer when Kacper Ferans won back possession on the edge of the opposition penalty area and Ely pounced on the loose ball and fired past the keeper, but centre back Jack Beasley stretched out a leg to save his side.
Despite the Ernemen's pressure, Londonderry took the lead against the run of play after 11 minutes when Odhran McHugh broke forward and cut inside before firing in a shot from the edge of the area.
Jake Agnew looked to have his effort covered, but the shot squirmed between his hands and crept over the goal line.
Fermanagh responded well and a surging run from centre-back Daniel McCarron past three challenges led to a chance for Thompson, but his shot was saved.
Moments later Londonderry moved further ahead. A free kick from 30 yards was slipped down the side of the wall and a low drilled cross was turned in at the back post through a crowd of players by Tomas O’Kane.
A long range header from Jay Ely was all Fermanagh could muster for the remainder of the half, and it was the Londonderry side who made the better start in the second half.
The otherwise impressive Liam Kelly should have converted at the back post in an opening spell of dominance for his team, with substitute Fermanagh keeper Shea McManus pushing Connor Wilson’s shot around the post.
Fermanagh’s best chance of getting a goal in the second half came after 48 minutes when Luca Hall closed down the goalkeeper and got a block on his attempted clearance, but the keeper recovered to save Ely’s follow up.
The game was effectively ended by Derry’s third when Preston McKeown volleyed in a free kick at the back post.
Fermanagh will now play a third/fourth place play off against either Charlton or DME Football, who are set to play each other later this afternoon.
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