Lisbellaw United booked their place in the Impartial Reporter Mulhern Cup semi-final as they came from behind to defeat Enniskillen Rangers at the Bawnacre on Saturday.

James McGrath’s side had come through a gruelling Junior Cup semi-final earlier in the week but it appeared as if their hopes of qualifying for a second decider was set to be ended as the ‘Gers deservedly took the lead in the second half through Andrew Johnston.

However, with the game deep in injury time Raymie Carroll slotted home from an Andy Reilly free kick to force extra time.

And it was the ‘Law who were to snatch the win as Craig Johnston tucked the ball home in the second period of extra time to set up a semi-final clash against Beragh Swifts next Thursday night.

“There wasn’t much football played and the wind made things very difficult but we’re just delighted to have won the game,” said Lisbellaw manager James McGrath. A Junior Cup final awaits on May 5 for Lisbellaw but McGrath stresses that their focus for now will be on the Mulhern Cup semi-final as they look to reach the decider.

“We obviously have the Junior Cup final to look forward to but we want to get to the Mulhern Cup final as well and that is our focus at the minute. It is going to be a very tough game against Beragh, who are a quality side, but it would be great to get through,” he commented.

For Rangers boss Gordon Cutler, the over-riding emotion was disappointment.

“It was disappointing to lose as I thought we deserved to win the game. Certainly, Lisbellaw were no better than us and if anything we played the better football but they were that wee bit fitter when the game went to extra time and they got the win,” he commented.

Cutler was also annoyed by the sending off of defender Brendan Rogers near the end of normal time. Rogers and Ian Veitch were both shown red cards following an incident but Cutler believes that the red for Rogers was harsh.

“That was a turning point, Brendy Rogers got his red card because of his name. It should have been a red for Veitch and a yellow for Brendy as far as I’m concerned,” he added.

It was Rangers who looked the better side for long periods of Saturday’s last eight encounter with Stuart Rainey in particular giving the Lisbellaw defence plenty to think about. However, it was Lisbellaw who had the first real chance of the game as Niall Leonard got behind the ‘Gers rearguard on the right and fired the ball across the goal for Raymie Carroll to get a shot away but his effort was pushed away by Adam McDonald in the Rangers goal. Rainey was a growing influence on proceedings and he went close with a long range drive midway through the half while the same player then had a free kick that appeared to strike the hand of Alan Veitch on the end of the Lisbellaw wall although nothing was given.

Gers captain Willie Burleigh also got himself into a good position but draged his shot wide while Andrew Johnston was put through but Willie McFrederick saved with his feet.

The game continued in the same vein into the second half with neither side really creating anything of note but it was Rangers who were to go on and break the deadlock. A swift counter attack saw Burleigh feed Jarno Glass and he pulled the ball across the goal to the back post where Andy Johnston was on hand to poke the ball over the line for 1-0.

Lisbellaw did start to find their feet after this as they went in search of an equaliser and Paul McGrath saw one effort saved by McDonald while he had another hit straight at the net minder.

Lisbellaw pushed Carroll forward into a more advanced position as the half wore on and he had an attempted lob but failed to find the target as Rangers defended well.

With time drawing to a close both sides were reduced to ten men after Veitch and Rogers clashed but Lisbellaw were to get one final chance as Reilly’s free kick was met by Carroll who arrived late to slot home.

There was little in the way of goal mouth action in the first period of extra time but Lisbellaw were to swoop for the winner in the second period as a mistake by Rangers defender David Crozier gave Johnston the opportunity and he lifted the ball over McDonald to the back of the net as Lisbellaw progressed to the last four.