Enniskilen Town 5 Mountfield 1

It was another win chalked off for Enniskillen Town in their pursuit of a first Mercer Cup in nine years as they saw off Mountfield at St. Michael’s Pavillion on Saturday.

A first-half Frank Wallace double put Town in command of matters and they followed it up with goals from Gary Stewart, Conor Watson and Lee Brennan after the break to run out convincing victors.

The win keeps Town ten points ahead of second-placed Enniskillen Rangers, with the sides having played the same amount of games, but Tummery Athletic and Dergview Reserves could yet provide a challenge. Holders Tummery are 17 points adrift of the leaders, but they have five games in hand, while Dergview trail Town by 19 points, but have played six games less.

With Town still to play those two – as well as Rangers, Kesh and Beragh – there is still plenty of football left in the campaign.

This week, the table toppers are away to Beragh Swifts and joint manager James McKenna expects a big test.

“It will be a difficult one. Beragh are one of only two teams to have beaten us this season in the league, and you know what you are going to get.

“From our own perspective though we want to take the performance from last week into this Saturday’s game, and we’ll be looking to pick up another three points,” he said.

On the win over Mountfield, he added: “They are a big, physical side but we felt that if we could play our football and not get dragged into playing the way they wanted to, then we would have a great chance.

“We moved the ball quickly, which was what we wanted, and I felt it was a good performance. We are happy to score a few goals and it is another one chalked off.

“We know though we have a tough run-in with only two home games left.”

The home side controlled the ball from the outset and with 20 minutes on the clock they made the breakthrough.

Wallace picked up the ball on the left-hand side and after exchanging passes with Cathal Beacom, he produced a clinical finish from the edge of the box.

It was 2-0 then ten minutes before half time as Wallace got his second.

Duwayne McManus spotted the run of Wallace and threaded a superb ball through the visitors’ defence for Wallace to deftly clip the ball over the advancing McCaul in the Mountfield goal.

The third goal arrived ten minutes into the second half with McManus again the provider, his free kick picking out Stewart, who finished at the back post.

Watson made it four just after the hour mark with a wonderful 25-yard free kick to the top corner and Brennan then got in on the scoring as he raced onto a long ball from Stewart before holding off a defender and slotting past the goalkeeper for 5-0.

Mountfield pulled a goal back late on through O’Neill, but this was only a consolation score as Town finished up comfortable victors.

 

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