NFC Kesh 3 Mountjoy United 1

NFC Kesh made a welcome return to winning ways with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Mountjoy United at Michael Connolly Park on Saturday.

Lee Walker had given Nicky Noble’s side the lead from the penalty spot in the first half but the visitors levelled things up after the break with Andrew Gilfillan converting a spot kick.

Kesh though restored their advantage through the ever green Mark Jones and Walker wrapped things up with a wonderful effort to leave it 3-1 at the finish.

“I thought that we were comfortable enough in the game,” said Kesh manager Noble.

“We played some really good football at times on the day but the important thing was to get the win and hopefully we can build on this and go on a bit of a run.”

Kesh had started the season with three wins on the trot but this was followed by two defeats in a stop start spell to their campaign.

Noble though wants to see his side push on after getting their fourth win from six league games played to date.

“There is no doubt that the season has been very disjointed so far hopefully now though we can get playing on a regular basis and get everybody back because we have been down to the bare bones at times. If we can get that then the goal has to be to continue picking up points and see where that takes us,” he added.

Noble was able to bring Mark Jones back into the starting line up for the first time in close to two months and the sharp shooter made his presence felt from the off as he went close with an early effort.

Josh Flack also had a chance in the opening period and Kesh looked lively with Alex Holder excelling in his role of playing off Jones.

And with half an hour on the clock the home side struck for the opening goal of the game.

Holder was involved as he was taken down in the penalty area and from the resultant spot kick Walker stepped up to fire home for 1-0.

The home side continued to probe over the remainder of the half but they could find a second as it stayed 1-0 at the interval.

Mountjoy though came more into proceedings in the second half and they went on to tie things up with a penalty of their own after Nigel Beacom was adjudged to have fouled in the box.

Gilfillan confidently dispatched the penalty to the back of the net to make it 1-1.

It was the home side though who were to go on and regain the upperhand as Jones got on the scoresheet.

McCauley’s through ball sent Jones scurrying through from halfway and the striker made no mistake in slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

Indeed, Jones was denied a second for the home side with the Mountjoy custodian pulling off a fine save from his drive from the edge of the box.

Kesh though did go on to wrap things up as Walker bagged his second of the contest.

A terrific ball over the top from the middle of the park by Beacom saw Walker control the ball as it dropped over his shoulder with his first touch, shift the ball away from the defender with his second before producing a cracking finish to make it 3-1 and seal the win for the home outfit.

Next up for Kesh is an away game against Strule this week and Noble and his players will again be targeting the three points as they look to hang on to those teams ahead of them in the table.