Ballinamallard Utd 2 Enniskillen Rangers 1.

Ballinamallard United completed their pre-season fixtures with a 2-1 win over Enniskillen Rangers on Friday night followed by a 2-0 defeat away to Sligo Rovers on Tuesday night.

On Friday night, a rasping goal from Richard Clarke gave Ballinamallard the advantage at the interval and they doubled their lead 10 minutes into the second half with a fine finish from new signing Niall Brennan.

Rangers though more than held their own throughout the contest and Darrin Simpson pulled a goal back for the Junior Cup champions following a Mark Cutler cut back.

Rangers are continuing their preparations for the new campaign and manager Michael Kerr was delighted with the workout.

“To have the opportunity to pit ourselves against Premiership opposition was a great experience for the boys and the pitch was absolutely immaculate.

“It was a great work out,” said the former Mallard.

Dykes too felt it was a beneficial workout as they get ready for an opening day encounter against Glentoran.

“It was a great workout and in fairness to them they are not a bad side at all.

“I felt we did well, we passed the ball well and Richard Clarke showed the class that he is and I was very impressed with Jonathan Leddy,” he stated.

Indeed, new signing Leddy has impressed Dykes in recent friendly games.

“He can play in a number of positions, he played in the middle of the park against Rangers and he was then centre back on Tuesday night against Sligo. He has a bit of quality about him and we are thrilled to have got him,” he added.

The Mallards may have been beaten by Sligo on Tuesday night but Dykes was pleased with what he saw from his players.

“We had a good run out in Sligo on Tuesday night,” he said.

“We lost 2-0 but we played well against a full time outfit. Neither side had a full team out but I was pleased with the lads and now we just want to get the season started.”

And preparations will ramp up again now with the visit of the Glens to Ferney Park just around the corner.

“We train Thursday, we have a double session on Saturday and then we have Tuesday, Thursday and the kick off on Saturday.

“We have five sessions now so that we can put things together with regards how we want to play and stuff,” he stated.

Dykes has already brought in five new faces and he may not be done there. He has stated that he is keen on strengthening his defence and says he is hoping to possibly do two more deals.

“I’m pleased with the squad and I’m still trying to add one, maybe two more,” he said.

However, he also has a number of injury concerns with captain James McKenna and Shane McGinty among those who are doubts for the Glens game.

“McKenna played Friday night but missed Tuesday night with a problem while Shane McGinty picked up a knock but hopefully they are not serious.

Colm McLaughlin is back training so he will hopefully be fine.”