Lower Shankill 0 Enniskillen Town 2 

Two Haydn Love goals saw Enniskillen Town through to round three of the Junior Cup, as they overcame the challenge of Belfast side Lower Shankill. 

Manager Ryan Hanna felt his team deserved the victory, with an improved second half showing the key to their success.  

“It was a difficult away game, so it was great to keep a clean sheet and perform well for most of the second half, which saw us win the game,” said Hanna.

“In the first half, I knew we could have played better, but thankfully we went in 1-0 up. They made it very difficult for us. They were very direct.

"They had the wind against them so the ball was holding up, and the boys at the back did well to cope with so many first and second balls.

"In the second half, I thought we were a lot better, especially early on. It was a tough game.

"Conditions were difficult, especially with the pitch we were playing on, but we defended resolutely at times.” 

Town suffered their first defeat of the season the preceding week, but there was no hangover as they immediately got back to winning ways in the cup.  

“We played probably far better last week, but that is the way it works sometimes,” said Hanna.  

“You are always looking for the result, and if you can get both the performance and the result that is great, but last week we didn’t get the result.

"This week we were the better side but we only played in patches. We were hungry to get the result, and a different competition can give you a different outlook sometimes.” 

After a frantic opening to the game in a strong wind, Town started to gain control of the contest after twenty minutes.

They came close to taking the lead when Kane Connor raced through on goal, but goalkeeper Conan Russell saved his shot. Just before the halftime interval Town took the lead when Conor Tummon’s out-swinging corner was headed back across the keeper and into the corner of the net by Love. 

Town continued to hold the upper hand in the second half. James Harrigan was twice presented with chances to extend their lead, but on both occasions, the keeper saved his goal attempts.

With five minutes remaining Town sealed the win when Love bundled a corner kick over the line from close range.

There was still time for a late Hanna effort to be blocked on the goal line after a Nick Collen cutback, but the miss did not change the outcome, with the Fermanagh and Western side securing their place in the draw for the next round.