Dergview Res 1 NFC Kesh 2

NFC Kesh Manager Scott Robinson was pleased with the way his side dug out the result as they returned from Castlederg with a 2-1 win over Dergview Reserves on Saturday.

The visitors had taken the lead through Lee Walker, but they found themselves pegged back when Dylan Aiken equalised for Dergview.

However, Grant Ellis popped up with the winner three minutes later as Kesh remain unbeaten in the league.

“The game was played on a very poor pitch, and our preparation for the game wasn’t great as we didn’t train all week due to Covid issues, and you could see that in the boys.

“We could have been four or five up at half-time only for Dergview to hit back to level it in the second half.

“But we said before the game that we just wanted to go there and get out with the points, and the boys dug deep to do that.

“That was pleasing to see, because last year we would have drawn that game or worse, and it was important to get the three points to keep the pressure on Town at the top of the table,”said Robinson.

It was the away side who had controlled things from the outset and they had the first big chance after only four minute when Walker was sent through, but he fired wide. Five minutes later, Mark Jones was presented with the next chance for Kesh after being put in by Kyle Malone, but he too was off-target.

The chances continued to flow for Kesh as Ryan Beatty had a header from a Nigel Beacom cross tipped over the bar by home keeper Ryan Brolly, and with 25 minutes on the clock, they did finally make the breakthrough.

Walker stepped up and curled a superb 25-yard free kick into the top corner to make it 1-0.

And Jack Kerr had the chance to double their lead on the stroke of half time, but his header hit the inside of the post as it remained 1-0 at the interval

There was more purpose to Dergview after the interval, but opportunities continued to fall for Kesh, with Jones denied by Brolly, while Kerr scuffed an effort when well-placed.

Indeed, it looked as if Kesh may pay for their wastefulness in front of the posts when Aiken got in behind the defence and thumped a powerful shot beyond goalkeeper Stefan McCusker to the net.

Kesh responded well to the setback though, and after a spell of pressure, they regained the lead as Ellis rose to head home a Walker corner.

The game fizzled out after this when the away side were able to see it out to stay on the heels of leaders Enniskillen Town at the top of the Mercer League.