NFC Kesh 1 Beragh Swifts 0

A last minute winner from Clint Thompson earned all three points for Kesh against ten man Beragh Swifts on Saturday. 
The visitors looked as though they were going to hold out against a Kesh side that are racking up goals at a rate of more than three per game this season, but with the final whistle just moments away Thompson headed in from close range to snatch the points.
“We were happy with the result,” said a relieved Kesh manager Nicky Noble.
 “They came for a point and if they play like that against most teams they will get points because they defended very well. They sat so deep that anything over the top was going through to the keeper, and they weren’t coming out at us at all. We didn’t play that great either, but they didn’t let us play. 
“The boys showed great character though. They dug in and never lost their cool. They kept trying to play football and trying to get in around them. 
“I was very happy with the three points.”
Kesh went onto the front foot from the early stages of the match but Swifts were well organised and stood firm. Nathan Cashel had the first attempt on target when he got onto a corner, but his header looped into the arms of the goal keeper.
When Kesh did get the ball into the penalty area Beragh were always in the right place to clear the danger, but the home side continued to press forward. 
Mark McCauley fired a shot wide of the post, and both Lee Walker and Jake Irvine also had attempts at goal which were gathered by the keeper.
Kesh thought they had made the crucial breakthrough when Lee Walker ran on to an Alex Holder pass and tucked the ball into the bottom corner, but the celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.
On the hour mark, Beragh were reduced to ten men when Irvine was deemed to have  received an elbow to the face, but Kesh still struggled to find a way through the defence. 
Walker had a great opportunity to put his side in front when he was brought down just inside the penalty area with the referee pointing to the spot. He picked himself off the ground to take the spot kick, but it was well saved. 
It was starting to look like Kesh’s efforts would not be rewarded, but as the game drew to a close Ollie Russell did well to create space for a cross and whipped it into the box, where Clint Thompson rose to flick a front post header across the keeper and into the far corner.
The three points take Kesh three clear at the top of the table, but with both Enniskillen Rangers and Strathroy Harps having played less games, Kesh boss Noble does not think his side will stay at the top for long. 
“I don’t think we are realistic challengers,” he said. 
“Rangers and Strathroy have games in hand and when they start playing they will pick up points. It’s between Rangers and Strathroy I believe. 
“You never know what will happen and there is still a lot of football to be played, but we are happy with how it has gone so far.”