Lisbellaw United 2 Magheraveely 0

First half goals from Craig Johnston and Paul McGrath sealed the points for Lisbellaw in their meeting with Magheraveely at Drumad on Saturday.

The win moves Kyle McCleery’s side up to fourth in the Division One table and the ‘Law manager felt his side were good value for their win on the day.

“I felt we were in control of the game right from the word go, we started well and we got the goals at good times.

“Magheraveely did have a few chances but I always felt that we had another gear in us if we needed to go again. I thought we were very deserving winners and it was pleasing to have kept our first clean sheet in a few weeks too,” he said.

Lisbellaw now have six games left in the campaign starting with Mountfield this Saturday.

“They are fighting relegation and have been going quite well so that will be a tough one and we have a difficult run in in the league so we can’t afford to take our foot of the gas. If we could break 40 points for the season that would be great,” he added.

Lisbellaw started the game on the front foot with Craig Johnston teeing up Stephen Bruce inside the first two minutes but he failed to convert with a first time shot at the back post.

Johnston was heavily involved in the early stages and he had an effort fly inches wide of the far post while Paul McGrath had a shot tipped around the post before the home side opened the scoring after 15 minutes.

Aaron Lindsay was fouled on the right and Johnston sent an inswinging ball in from the free kick that sailed into the top corner.

And it was 2-0 on the half hour mark as Paul Elliott’s cross was tucked home at the back post by McGrath.

Magheraveely though had chances to get back into the game late in the half. Andy Little was denied by a great sliding tackle by Aaron Lindsay while Little threatened again soon after with his left footed shot hitting the bar.

Warren Stewart then headed over the bar as it remained 2-0 at the interval.

Lisbellaw pinned Magheraveely back in their own half in the opening spell of the second half although they failed to threaten the visitors goal and instead Magheraveely had a chance to pull a goal back when substitute Danilo got in behind Lisbellaw defender Jamie Coalter but he dragged his effort wide.

Danilo had another opportunity soon after but on this occasion ‘Law goalkeeper Willie McFrederick pulled off a point blank save.

The game though petered out after this and Lisbellaw were reasonably comfortable in seeing it out as they collected the points.