Irvinestown Wanderers 0 Enniskillen Town 2

Goals early and late in the second half saw Enniskillen Town maintain the pressure on leaders Tummery Athletic at the top of the Mercer League table.

After a goalless first half, Town took the lead minutes into the second half through Duwayne McManus and they wrapped up the points five minutes from time when Lee Brennan slotted home.

The win leaves Town a point behind Tummery although the leaders have a game in hand in the race for the title.

“To get the three points and keep a clean sheet was pleasing,” said Town manager Rory Judge. “I was impressed with Irvinestown, they try to get the ball down and play the right way and we were just glad to come through it with the win. We have Magheraveely this weekend and we’ll just look to keep pushing on.”

Irvinestown manager Darren Higginbotham was happy with the majority of his side’s play and he feels if they can keep doing the right things then the results will come for his side, who sit 11th in the table.

“I thought for 90 per cent it was a good performance but just that 10 per cent evaded us and against a team like Town you need to be at 100 per cent. I believe though that if we keep working hard and continue doing the right things we will pick up points,” he stated.

Irvinestown were the brighter side in the early stages of the contest with Caolan Ward and Barry Goodwin both giving Town plenty to think about, Goodwin having an effort from just outside the box clip the base of the post.

Craig Humes then had a good chance but he had more time than he thought and rushed his finish.

At the other end Town had two penalty appeals waved away while Brendan Lilley had a shot blocked as it remained 0-0 at the interval.

The visitors though got a foothold in the game from the start of the second half and with 46 minutes on the clock they took the lead. Darren Freeman’s cross from the left took a big deflection and McManus was able to stretch to turn the ball home at the back post to make it 1-0.Irvinestown goalkeeper Jerome Carleton pulled off a number of fine saves to keep his side in the game in the second period as he turned a Conall Quinn shot around the post for a corner while he also denied Kane Connor.

Freeman then hit the bar before sending a header wide as Town continued to have the better of the exchanges. When it was only 1-0 though Irvinestown always remained in the contest and Stephen Sheridan had an effort saved by the foot of Town goalkeeper Ben Thompson.

However, Town put the game out of the home side’s reach with five minutes to go as Lee Brennan played a one-two with Brendan Lilley before firing past Carleton at the near post as Town sealed the win.