Fermanagh Premier manager Derek Sharpe feels that last Saturday’s Orchard Cup victory at Holm Park, Armagh is a big boost for his players as they continue their preparations for the Milk Cup.

Sharpe watched his side defeat Armagh City U18s 5-3 before drawing with County Armagh to secure top place in the competition.

“It gives the boys a massive lift going forward although we will also be bearing in mind that it was just two friendly games at the end of the day. “It does though show the players that what they are doing is paying off on the pitch. “We had 16 players who were involved on Saturday and we were able to see boys in different positions and there was a lot of positives to come out of the day,” he commented.

Armagh City U18s 3 County Fermanagh 5 Fermanagh opened with a game against Armagh City U18s and a dominant start to the contest saw them take a 2-0 lead after 25 minutes. The opener arrived from Callum Frempong who was first to react to slot home after a cracking Brendan Lilley effort smashed off the crossbar.

With Fermanagh enjoying the upperhand they went on to double their lead as a good move down the right finished with Ollie Russell tucking the ball away.

However, Armagh City were back in the game before half time when a long ball from the goalkeeper caused confusion in the Fermanagh defence, allowing a City striker to fire home.

Fermanagh though regained control at the start of the second half as Timmy Boyd struck to make it 3-1 before Jack Ritchie split the City defence in picking out Ryan Morris who finished with aplomb.

The home side rallied after this and two goals brought them back into contention but Fermanagh were to wrap up the victory as Frempong produced a fine solo effort to round a defender before drilling a shot low to the corner to leave it 5-3 at the finish.

County Armagh 1 County Fermanagh 1 Fermanagh took on county rivals Armagh in their second encounter with a tight contest finishing in a draw. Armagh were the quicker to settle into the game as they bossed the opening 15 minutes although they failed to find the back of the Fermanagh net.

The Erne side did though began to find their feet with their midfield four linking up well with the front two.

However, they were to fall behind at half time when they were caught out by a counter-attack that resulted in an Armagh forward slotting past goalkeeper Jordan Coalter.

The second half though saw Fermanagh get on top early on and they created a couple of chances with Timmy Boyd going close with a header while Ollie Russell also had an opportunity.

Ther equaliser was to arrive with 15 minutes to go and it came from a wonderful Jack Keane strike. He took up possession in the middle of the park and after beating one man he let fly from 35 yards with a thunderous shot that crashed into the top corner..

Fermanagh had chances to take the lead with Russell going close while Frempong hit the crossbar although they were thankful to goalkeeper Jack Kerr who pulled off a superb point blank save late on to ensure Fermanagh earned a share of the spoils.