Jones fires hat-trick as Kesh seal win

Mark Jones rich vein of goal scoring form continued as Kesh saw off fellow Fermanagh and Western side Lisnaskea Rovers to book their spot in the next round of the fonaCAB Junior Cup on Saturday at Michael Connolly Park.

The striker netted twice in the first half to help his side into a 3-1 half time advantage and he was on target again after the break as Kesh eased their way to the victory.

Kesh manager Nicky Noble, felt his side showed the effects of not having a game in a couple of weeks but was pleased to see them progress.

“You could tell it was a few weeks from we last played and we looked a bit rusty at times,” he said.

“We’ve won well but there’s still room for improvement. Unfortunately it’s another three weeks until we play again but at least we’ve a couple of lads getting back to full fitness. It was great for Josh Toal to get his first start since his leg break last December and Jake Irvine is hopefully now on the road to recovery after a similar long lay off.”

Kesh were quickly into their stride against their Division Two opponents and with only three minutes on the clock they opened the scoring.

Ross McClelland went route one with a long ball to Josh Flack who outpaced everyone to slot past the onrushing keeper.

And the home side doubled their advantage in the 25th minute with Flack this time turning provider. His diagonal ball found Jones on the corner of the box and he turned two players before finishing from an acute angle for 2-0.

However, Kesh did not have things all their own way and Lisnaskea were back in the game when Ryan Rooney headed in from close range.

The two goal advantage though was restored just before half time with the red hot Jones bagging his second as he pounced on a loose ball before racing through and tucking past the visitors netminder to leave it 3-1 at the break.

Indeed, Jones was close to completing his hat-trick early in the second half only to see his effort come off the crossbar with Alex Holder’s tap in from the rebound ruled out for offside.

A fourth did arrive though for Kesh moments later when Grant Ellis headed home at the back post from a Toal corner.

Rovers continued to battle and they pulled a goal back when Paul Og O’Reilly headed past McClelland but Kesh went on to grab their fifth as a free kick was diverted to the net by the Lisnaskea goalkeeper.

With eight minutes to go Kesh swooped for number six as a terrific team move saw Jake Irvine playing in Holder and he crossed for Jones who tapped in at the back post to wrp up his hat-trick.

Another O’Reilly goal saw Lisnaskea account for their third of the game but it was only a consolation and Kesh went on to round off the scoring when the last action of the game. Jones rounded the goalkeeper before unselfishly teeing up Irvine to finish.