Enniskillen Town United 1 Enniskillen Rangers 1

Enniskillen Town United and cross-town rivals Enniskillen Rangers shared the spoils in a derby encounter that in truth never really sparked into life following a game of few chances and even less drama.

The point each, coupled with similar results elsewhere, does mean that both teams remain in contention in this wide-open league race with only a point separating the top three teams and Kesh snapping at everyone’s heels in fourth with two games in hand.

The sides went in at the break all square, a Cathal Beacom penalty cancelling out Jason Keenan’s early goal for the visitors.

Good chances were few and far between in the second half, Ciaran Brough missing the best chance to win the game for Rangers but he fired wide from about 12 yards with the goal at his mercy while Joel Pedan was at full length to stop a Brendan Lilley header at the other end.

Town boss Rory Judge was slightly disappointed not to have won the game when all was taken into consideration.

“Look, we probably would have settled for a point before the game but bar the opening 10 or 15 minutes I felt that we dealt well with them and I thought that we had more chances over the course of the game. Because of that, I would maybe look on it as two points dropped but it was a day that both defences were on top and it terms of the league it is as you were and it’s all to play for,” he said.

‘Gers manager Michael Kerr felt the draw was the right result.

“Overall, I didn’t think that either team did enough to win the game so the point was fair. I was really disappointed with our first half performance but I thought we were better in the second although we couldn’t have been much worse.

“I think it was a good point for us and I feel it was a game that was maybe more important for both teams not to lose,” he said.

As mentioned, Rangers started well although Town did have an early Darren Freeman chance that was saved by Pedan in the ‘Gers goal.

However, the away side went on to take an early lead when captain Ciaran Smith dispossessed Michael Simpson in the sixth minute and poked the ball forward to Jason Keenan who rounded Town keeper Ben Thompson and slotted home for 1-0.

It was hard for either team to get a stranglehold in midfield and too many balls over the top were running out of play on the 3G pitch with a strong crossfield win not helping matters also.

Town levelled just before the half hour mark. Pedan saved well down to his left from a Conor Watson shot that also flicked off Jake Browne on its way to goal.

From the resulting corner Freeman picked the ball up and Stuart Rainey mis-timed his tackle with referee Dermot Monaghan correctly pointing to the spot.

Beacom sent Pedan the wrong way and the local derby was level.

Town were on top possession wise for the remainder of the half, Beacom played Freeman in following a swift break but Nathan Khan blocked well while at the other end all Rangers could muster was a Mark Cutler shot that was easily dealt with by Thompson.

Rangers improved at the start of the second half and enjoyed more possession but again chances were at a premium.

Browne’s long range shot was easily saved while Thomas Owens flicked a header past the post.

Rangers then missed a gilt-edged chance to win the game when Thompson failed to collect a Khan free from the left. The ball fell to the feet of Cutler who squared to substitute Ciaran Brough but pulled his shot wide of the post from 12 yards

Town’s best chances came from a couple of Beresford long throws, the first creating a goal mouth scramble that Rangers hacked clear and the second ended with a Lilley header across goal that a full length Pedan gathered at the second attempt.

One one at the finish, honours even and both teams still in the title hunt with ten games and 30 points to play for.