Enniskillen Rangers warm up for final with derby win

Enniskillen Rangers bounced back from Saturdays 2-1 defeat to Strathroy to take all three points against Enniskillen Town and get their title challenge back on track. Town made the better start and raced into a two goal lead with goals from William Simpson and Johnny Hoy, but they could not hold on and Rangers scored twice before the interval through Mark Cutler and completed the comeback with late strikes from Willie Burleigh and Jason Keenan.
“It was a very pleasing result, and regardless of who the opposition is, it’s another three points ticked off,” said manager Michael Kerr, who was happy with his side’s reaction to their recent defeat. “Saturday was disappointing. I thought we were the better team but we gave away two sloppy goals. We played well in patches but we huffed and puffed trying to get a second goal. We have put it behind us now and it was a good response against Town in a local derby.”
The win keeps the destination of the title in Rangers’ hands, but they face a hectic end of season schedule. “We are just taking on game at a time and seeing where that takes us,” said Kerr. “We know if we were to win seven out of seven we will win the league but those seven games are in 14 days which is going to be absolutely brutal on people’s bodies. It will be about managing the squad and taking one game at a time.”
Town were coming into the match on the back of a victory over Beragh Swifts at the weekend, but were unable to repeat the feat against their local rivals. “It was a fair result. We made a good start and were well worth our lead, but in the second half we got very leggy and tired,” said manager Rory Judge, who has a Mulhern Cup final on the horizon. “Tonight was just about getting through without injuries or suspensions. It was a brilliant run out from so many reserve players. They competed very well but fitness just told in the end.”
Within twelve minutes Town had moved into a surprise two goal lead, with William Simpson’s diving header giving them an early advantage and then Johnny Hoy curling the ball in from a tight angle to double the lead. Rangers were quick to respond with a double from Mark Cutler sending the teams into the half time break on level terms.
Jason Keenan had several chances to put Rangers ahead in the second period, but it was Willie Burleigh ten minutes from time that finally made the breakthrough when he bundled the ball in at the back post from close range. Jason Keenan completed the win with a breakaway goal deep into injury time.
On Saturday, Rangers had lost 2-1 to fellow title chasers Strathroy after leading but the destination of the title remains in their own hands if they can win their remaining games and could come down to a last day clash with the Harps