NFC Kesh 3 Magheraveely 1

Ryan Campbell scored a hat-trick as NFC Kesh bounced back from last week’s defeat to Mountfield with victory over Magheraveely at the Castle Park Centre last Friday night.

At the break, the sides were level at 1-1 after Warren Stewart had equalised following Campbell’s opener from the spot for Kesh.

And Kesh looked to be in bother when they were then reduced to ten men early in the second half when Ryan McFarland was given his marching orders, but this seemed to lift Scott Robinson’s side and two further goals from Campbell sealed the three points.

“The important thing was to get the three points,” stated Robinson.

“We got a few players back in and that gave us a bit of stability, but we are still lacking that bit of continuity to our play which is probably to do with not getting a settled team out on the pitch at the minute. At the same time, most other clubs are in the same boat.”

Kesh travel to Crawford’s Lane this Saturday to face a Tummery side, who have a 100 per cent record in the league, and Robinson knows it will be a tough test but he is hoping to come away with the three points.

“I watched Tummery against Lisbellaw on Saturday and they were missing a few players, but they were dogged.

“They are a good side who have been there and done it, so we know that it will be tough, but hopefuly it will be a good game and we can come away with the win – that’s what we will be aiming for,” added Robinson.

Kesh started last Friday night’s clash on the front foot with Kyle Malone hitting the outside of the post early on, while Campbell also had a chance, but the ball held up on the surface and his effort was saved.

Mark Jones then had an opportunity when he had a free header from a Danny Wilson corner, but his attempt failed to find the target, yet with 15 minutes on the clock they did open the scoring.

Kyle Malone’s through ball sent Jones through and he was upended by the goalkeeper.

Campbell stepped up and made no mistake from the spot to give Kesh the advantage.

Magheraveely though had chances of their own with Andy Little denied an equaliser by a good save from Ross McClelland in the Kesh goal.

However, they were level midway through the half when Little’s cross from the right was swept home by Stewart at the back post.

The second half got off to a poor start for Kesh as McFarland was Red Carded after a poor challenge, but afterwards they reorganised and went on to control the remainder of the contest.

With 72 minutes gone they edged back ahead as Lee Walker’s ball down the side of the defence from a free kick was fired home first time by Campbell, before the striker then completed his hat-trick five minutes from time with a thumping finish to the roof of the net to secure the points for the ten men.