Lisbellaw United 3 Irvinestown Wanderers 1

Lisbellaw United condemned Irvinestown Wanderers to Division Two football next season with a 3-1 victory at Drumad.

Goals from Ryan Lindsay, Paul McGrath and Keelan Flanagan pulled Lisbellaw further clear of the relegation scrap, but for Wanderers their fate has been sealed, with the defeat leaving them 10 points from safety with only three games remaining.

Wanderers’ went into the game under the guidance of Paul and Rory Cassidy after Ryan Beacom had stepped down from the manager’s position prior to the match, but the change on the side line could not alter their on-field fortunes as they recorded their 19th defeat from 23 matches.

Cassidy stresses that relegation was something that they have expected and the aim now is to rebuild in Division Two and look to come back stronger.

“We were resigned to relegation months ago and there is no dejection about it, we knew it was coming and we have survived by the skin of our teeth a number of times in recent seasons.

“It is very hard to rebuild and restructure in Division One when you are getting beaten every week, hopefully we can now go down to Division Two and do that.

“We have been working hard at the youth section in the club and we’ll continue to do that as that’s important.

“Look, this has happened to us a couple of times in the last 25 years and we have come back stronger and hopefully we can do that again,” he said.

In contrast, Lisbellaw’s victory lifted them to eighth in the table and within sight of safety.

“It was really, really important and with Magheraveely getting beaten it has opened up a nice wee gap and takes the pressure off us,” admitted Lisbellaw boss Kyle McCleery.

“We are nine ahead of Magheraveely and they would need to go unbeaten, so they would really need to turn it around to catch us.

“We are not mathematically safe yet, but we are breathing a bit easier.

“We have a tough run in.

“We have Kesh away and then we are at home to Rangers and Town so that reiterated how important Saturday was. I felt we needed three points in the run in, and if we hadn’t got it against Irvinestown then we were going to have to beat one of the other three which would be a big ask. Thanks goodness we got there.”

Despite their lowly league position, Irvinestown made much of the early running in the match and dominated the early possession.

Stephen Sheridan was a constant threat in attack but the visiting team could not force the opening goal, and midway through the half it was Lisbellaw that made the crucial breakthrough when Robbie Little’s advance into the box was stopped by a handball and Ryan Lindsay dispatched the penalty kick.

Gary Maguire had a chance to level the scores moments later, but he opted to square the ball rather than shoot and Lisbellaw snuffed out the danger.

Scott Moutray had a lob saved as he attempted to extend Lisbellaw’s lead but on the stroke of half time they added a second when Paul McGrath burst through the Wanderers’ defence and slotted past the keeper.

The result was put beyond doubt in the second half when Jamie Coulter’s pass set Sean Keenan through on goal, and although his effort was saved, Keelan Flanagan made no mistake from the rebound.

Irvinestown grabbed a late consolation through Sheridan but it was too late in the day to have an impact on their Division One survival.