‘We had to be at our best’ acknowledges Robinson

Kesh claimed the honours in the second round of the Irish Junior Cup, winning the local derby thanks to a Ryan Campbell second-half winner.

The Ballinamallard U-20s pushed the Fermanagh and Western side all the way, with Kesh boss Scott Robinson acknowledging that they had to be at their very best to earn their place in Monday’s draw for round three.

“That was probably the best we have been since pre-season and it had to be, because they were probably the best team we have played this season,” said Robinson.

“They were very good on the ball and fast, but I thought we matched them for intensity, and that’s what we haven’t been doing. I thought we deserved to win on the night.”

Ballinamallard Reserves Manager Emmet Friars was left to rue missed chances early in the game, but was proud of his team’s efforts.

“I thought we started off really well in the first half and were the better side,” he said.

“The goal before half time set us back a wee bit, and it took us 20 minutes of the second half to recover from that, but we did, and we went again.

“They have quality in their side, and they have great players, but I thought Stefan McCusker in goal was man of the match, and when you have Rocket [Ryan Campbell] up front, you always have a chance of winning games.

“It was a great lesson for our boys. If you play against good sides and don’t take your chances then you get punished.”

Ballinamallard made a lively start to the match and were pressing Kesh all over the pitch in a frantic opening to the game, but their high-intensity play was not rewarded by a goal in the opening exchanges as Stefan McCusker kept his goal intact.

Threat

As Kesh settled into the game they started to pose more of a threat of their own, and a minute before half time they snatched the lead when a low-driven cross from Callum Frampong deflected off Ballinamallard midfielder Adam McCreery and into his own net.

In an evenly contested second half, Ballinamallard had a great chance to equalise when Peter Campbell appeared to be clear of the defence, but a great last-ditch tackle from Justin Palmer denied him.

With 20 minutes remaining, Kesh extended their lead.

They won a free kick when Danny Wilson was brought down, and Jordan Cadden’s free kick was headed in by ex-Ballinamallard striker Ryan Campbell.

As the game entered its closing stages, Ballinamallard pressed forward for a way back into the match and grabbed a lifeline when a cross was partially cleared and Zak Young fired through a pack of players from 15 yards out, but Kesh clung on for the win and will take their place in round three.