Enniskillen Town 4 Strathroy Harps 1

Four second-half goals made it ten wins out of 11 for in-form Enniskillen Town as they defeated Strathroy Harps at St. Michael’s Pavillon on Saturday.

And with second-placed Tummery Athletic dropping points at home to Killen, it proved to be a good day for the leaders who sit six points clear at the top of the Mercer League table, although Tummery have played a game less.

After a goalless first half, the contest sprang into life as Town netted twice in the opening ten minutes of the second half through Frank Wallace and Cathal Beacom.

It looked though as if there would be a nervy conclusion to the contest for the home side when Corey Wood pulled a goal back for Strathroy in the 88th minute, but Town answered through a Beacom free kick before Lee Brennan wrapped up the points.

“We were pleased enough with the first half in that we created three chances, but the second half was a very good performance and the four goals were a joy to watch,” said Town joint Manager James McKenna.

“Strathroy are a good team who we have struggled to beat in recent years, and you never get anything easy against them, so it was pleasing to create a lot of chances and score four goals against them.

“It was disappinting not to get the clean sheet but I thought we defended quite well and the goal was from an individual error, and that can happen.”

With Town playing a high line, Strathroy looked to play the ball over the top in the first half and Tommy Murphy did have a chance for the visitors, but his effort from the angle was well saved by Pat Cadden in the Town goals.

At the other end, the home side had chances of their own, but Wallace and Brennan both shot wide while Kane Connor was denied by the goalkeeper after being put through by Duwayne McManus.

However, the goals started to flow after the break with Town grabbing the opener early on.

A superb effort

Half-time substitute Brendan Lilley played the ball down the left and Kane Connor’s step over left Wallace in a foot race against Benny Boyle. Wallace managed to take the ball across the defender and from the edge of the box he arrowed a superb effort to the top corner.

Soon after it was 2-0 as McManus and Wallace combined to tee up Beacom, who rifled to the roof of the net.

It was all Town at this stage but they failed to add to their lead despite having a number of chances.

And Strathroy were given hope late on when Wood capitalised on a loose back pass by Gary Stewart to slot home for 2-1.

However, Town replied with Beacom clipping a free kick over the wall for 3-1 and Brennan then rounded off the scoring in added-on time as he tucked the ball to the corner to leave it 4-1 at the finish.

Town are back at home this Saturday when they take on Beragh Swifts, and with Tummery in Junior Cup action it is a chance for the leaders to go nine clear.

McKenna though is expecting a difficult afternoon against a Beragh side who sit fourth in the table.

“By all accounts Beragh are a good team so it is going to be a tough game and we will have to be on top of our game,” McKenna added.