For long periods of this match, the recently formed Santos, held first division Town, albeit due to woeful finishing and slack passing in the final quarter of the pitch.

    However, the introduction of Rory Connolly to the Town set up, injected pace and the use of the simple pass, carved open the tiring Santos defence.

    Santos had a glorious chance to open the scoring after two minutes, Darren McAdam sent a long ball into the Town box, Gerry Keaveney, from three yards, planted his timid header into the arms of stand-in keeper John Tapster.

    Town struggled to settle into the game, more often than not their passing was wayward and hesitant. Mickey Curry had a terrific effort from 25 yards which just went over. As the game progressed so too did Town, a superb passing sequence involving Colum Shannon, Matt Holden and Eugene Wynne provided Sean Brough with a golden chance, but he too rushed his effort which drifted wide from three yards.

    The opening goal came after 27 minutes, from the penalty spot. Town sweeper Barry Corrigan seemed to have controlled a looping ball into the box, McAdam put him under pressure and won the ball, Corrigan pulled him back leaving referee Blair no option but to award a spot kick. Christopher Corrigan made no mistake from the penalty.

    Santos, although not having a lot of the ball, were working very hard, their joy was short lived. An excellent Holden corner was flicked to the net at the front post by Neill Collins to leave the sides level at the interval.

    Town continued to dominate possession in the second half. Mark Connolly orchestrating from the midfield. Shannon was looking very sharp up front, and at the back younger brother Brian Óg was outstanding.

    However, the lack of effort from some Town players was disappointing to see. Santos, to their credit were not short in this department. The forwards and midfield, although not winning a lot of ball, continued to work extremely hard. Town introduced young Connolly after 75 minutes, almost immediately the tricky forward carved open Santos. Connolly latched onto a Holden pass, sidestepped his marker before picking out older brother Mark who sidefooted home from six yards.

    Santos got back on level terms after 82 minutes, Town failed to clear a Santos corner, Byron McNern drove the ball through a ruck of players to level the match.

    Shannon had a great chance to put Town in the lead two minutes later, the lively forward sprung the offside when he went on a solo run from the halfway line, after completing the hard work, Shannon slid the ball agonisingly wide of the Santos goal.

    Town grabbed their third goal after 86 minutes, when a Mark Connolly free was directed into the top corner by Shannon.

    The Connolly brothers combined in injury time to clinch the tie, this time Mark provided the pass for Rory, who sold two defenders with a delightful dummy before driving low into the bottom corner.

    This was a thoroughly entertaining game, Santos, on this performance, showed they are well capable of doing well in the F&W third division.

    Town, although using a lot of second and third team players will need to improve on their level of fitness before the start of the season.

    The first round proper of the “Towns Cup” takes place at the New Playing Fields of the Lakeland Forum. Two matches will take place tonight (Thursday) between Enniskillen Rangers and Derrychara, while on the other pitch, Town will play Swifts.

    Both matches are due to kick-off at 7.30 pm. The final has been scheduled for tomorrow night (Friday) at the same time and venue.

    There was a good crowd for the Town v Santos game, the decision by Fermanagh District Council to introduce this competition will prove to be a success. The county town has been, and will always be, the number one spot for attracting large crowds to local soccer matches.