Magheraveely 0 Enniskillen Town 1

Cathal Beacom’s fifth minute free kick was enough to secure Enniskillen Town’s place in Round Two of the Mulhern Cup at the expense of Magheraveely in Clones on Saturday.

Town had to endure some tricky moments late on as the home side pushed for an equaliser but they were able to hold on to set up a meeting with Division Three outfit Lisnaskea Rovers in the next round.

“It wasn’t a great performance but when you are away in the cup to a Division One team it is all about the result and we’re just glad to be through to the next round,” said Town joint manager James McKenna.

The fact they weren’t at their best and got the win though was something that did please McKenna.

“To get the win without playing overly well was the most pleasing thing because that is something that we struggled with last year. It is important that you can do that because you won’t play well every week,” he added.

Town dominated proceedings from the outset and with five minutes on the clock they opened the scoring. Kane Connor was fouled 25 yards from goal and Beacom stepped up to crash a low hard drive to the bottom corner for 1-0.

The visitors continued to own the ball but on the big pitch they struggled to get any real rhythm to their play and as the half progressed they became sloppy in their passing which encouraged Magheraveely.

The home side did start to get a few balls into the box late in the half but they never worked Pat Cadden in the Town goal as it remained 1-0 at the interval.

The game continued in a similar manner in the second half and Town had two good chances to double their lead but Conall Quinn failed to make contact with a Frank Wallace and the two combined again with Quinn this time forcing a save out of Magheraveely goalkeeper Conor Smith.

The home side then threw caution to the wind in the last ten minutes as they went in search of an equaliser but Cadden pulled off a superb save to deny Andy Little while he also made a stop from David Elliott as the visitors held on to progress.

It is back to league matters this weekend with table toppers Town at home to Mountfield and McKenna is expecting a battle.

“They are fighting for their lives and they are big, physical side and they will be coming to have a rattle at us but our home form is good and we want to continue that and get the three points,” he said.

Magheraveely are on their travels on Saturday with an away game against Enniskillen Athletic.

 

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