Football: Lisnaskea Rovers 2 Killen
Rangers 2 – Lisnaskea Rovers
moved to the top of the division one
table on Saturday but they will be
wondering how they did not secure
all three points in a game that they
dominated for long periods and led
2-0 at one stage. Indeed, if they fail to
win the league then they will certainly
pinpoint this game as a missed
opportunity.In fairness to Killen, they never lay down and battled to the end
with a super Darren Young lob from halfway earning a point after
he adeptly returned from distance a Mark Murphy clearance to
the net.
Indeed, it is the third time this season that Lisnaskea have
conceded a long range goal from the halfway line and they
certainly feel a little hard done by in the luck stakes.
In the final 15 minutes, Lisnaskea bombarded the the Killen goal
but could not get the winner they craved while both sides feel
they had legitimate shouts for penalties waved away at either
end by referee Ronald Graham.
Lisnaskea coach George Elliott felt his team were a little unlucky.
“They scored out of the blue at a time when we were fairly
comfortable. I think we were a bit unlucky on Saturday, we played
well and had plenty of chances but their goal came out of nothing
and changed the game,” said George.
Lisnaskea started the game at a cracking pace and dominated
the opening quarter.
Paul Woods went through one on one with the Killen keeper
Morrison but did not connect well with the ball and the visiting
netminder saved well with his feet.
Soon after, however, Glen Monahan put the Castle Park side one
up as he cut in from the left before firing a super shot into the
corner of the net for 1-0 and no more than Lisnaskea deserved.
Kevin Swift then produced a good save from Morrison with a well
hit free kick before Lisnaskea doubled their lead.
This time Greg O’Donnell was on target as he controlled the ball
well in the six yard box before turning on the proverbial sixpence
to fire home for 2-0.
The homeside were cruising at this stage and Swift again had
another good chance as he danced past a couple of defenders
but Morrison again saved well with his feet.
Killen were relying on breaks at this stage and the speed of
Ryan Campbell was proving a handful and it was no surpirse
that when Killen did pull a vital goal back just before the interval
that it was Campbell who scored.
Clive Morrison delivered a quality free kick to the back post and
Campbell dived full length to head home for 2-1 to Skea at the
interval.
Lisnaksea would have been disappointed to have only led by a
goal at half time given their dominance while Killen would have
been delighted to trail by such a narrow margin.
Killen played with the wind in the second half but failed to create
any real chances and were hampered by the loss of Campbell to
injury.
Lisnaskea remained in control and looked to be heading for all
three points.
That was until, Darren Young decided to shoot from long
distance. The ball was played back to Murphy in the Skea goal
and he cleared the ball well up to halfway into the wind. However,
it was straight to Darren Young in the centre circle and he
controlled the ball on his chest, before whacking it back in over
the keeper’s outstretched hand and into the net for a brilliant
finish and 2-2.
It was now game on and Killen with the wind at their backs were
not without their chances as Lee Arkinson sidefooted wide at the
back post after another good Morrison free kick. Arkinson was
then unlucky not to get a penalty when he was caught by Murphy
but the referee waved play on, feeling the keeper had had a hand
to the ball.
The last ten minutes was all Lisnaskea as they went for the win
that would have put them three points clear at the top.
Mark McKenna had a good chance from a header and Paul
Woods felt he had a penalty as he was pulled back. The
linesman seemed to flag for a infringement but referee Graham
overruled and as the final whistle sounded on the only game to
be played in the Fermanagh and Western, the scores were
deadlocked at 2-2.
Lisnaskea go a point clear at the top and while they would have
preferred all three points, they are at least on top with the points
in the bag and that is what counts at this time of the year.