Killen Rangers 2 Enniskillen Rangers 4

Enniskillen Rangers strengthened their position at the top of Division One with victory over Killen Rangers.

Jason Keenan and Eoin McManus had given Rangers a 2-1 lead at half-time and McManus’ penalty extended their lead early in the second half before Joel Byrne grabbed a fourth midway through the second half to secure a valuable victory in their title chase.

“I was pleased with how we played and pleased with the three points, as it is never an easy place to go,” said manager Michael Kerr. “We got out of the blocks really quickly and started on the front foot. One of our aims on Saturday was to get an early goal, and we got it. It’s another game another ticked off, but we have a massive game on Saturday now against Kesh. We are looking no further than that, and we will get a plan in place for them.”

The win takes Rangers four points clear of Kesh who have one game in hand, and eight ahead of Tummery who have played two games less.

With all three teams still to play each other the title is far from decided, but Kerr is glad he already has the points on the board.

“I would rather have the points than be chasing,” he said. “We had to chase during the first year we won the league in my time. We had to play seven games in 14 days. We drew the first two and then we had to win five in a row, and we did it, but it was a lot of pressure. I am happy where we are, but we have two massive games to go. Kesh is going to be a good test because they have been going well.”

Rangers made a bright start and went ahead with just four minutes on the clock. Ciaran Smith won possession in midfield and fired a pass in for Keenan on the edge of the penalty area, and the striker brought it down and struck a half-volley past the keeper.

Killen pulled level when Eoin McManus lost possession on the edge of his penalty area and Crawford dinked the ball over Joel Peden, but the central defender made amends a minute before half-time when he headed in Nathan Khan’s corner to restore their lead.

Rangers moved further ahead eight minutes into the second half when McManus scored his second from the penalty spot, and the game was put beyond Killen when Byrne ran onto a through ball and lifted it over the keeper.

Richard Clarke pulled a goal back for Killen from the penalty spot, but the away side held on to extend their lead at the top of the Division One table.