Dwayne Lyons on the wing with the ball for Enniskillen Santos
Enniskillen Santos 2
Irvinestown Wanderers 0
Jason Keenan would score both goals in this keenly contested Division 2 fixture between two sides who had previously held 100% winning records.
Irvinestown would be the side to relinquish their tag on the day but it’s still a positive start to the year as Fred Lynch states “We weren’t at our best on Saturday but Santos are a very good team and will take a bit of stopping. We are still happy with how we’ve started the season.”
Wanderers began brightly and thought they had taken the lead on 10 minutes when Lynden Johnson found the net but the goal was disallowed for offside. Liam Murphy had a good chance but the midfielder screwed his shot narrowly wide before Santos settled into the game and had their first notable chance, Colin Murray blazing over from close range while Nicky Dunbar had a long range free kick tipped over the crossbar however neither side were capable of making a breakthrough in the first period.
Winning manager Joe Keenan felt his side were excellent throughout the second period “After a tough battle in the first half I thought we were excellent in the second half. From the restart the performance levels improved, I couldn’t have asked for any more, we are going well and it was a deserved three points”
Santos opened the scoring early in the half after some slick passing down the left. Stephen Clarke, who had one of his best displays of the year played a neat one two with Conor Tummon and then the overlapping Francey Hynes before the ball was crossed for Jason Keenan to volley into the corner from seven yards.
Richard Johnson and Nicky Dunbar were again having fine games at the back preventing Wanderers creating much and with 12 minutes remaining Santos secured the points with their second goal. The visitors had been pressing forward looking an equaliser but Dunbar would win back possession with a well timed tackle before giving the ball to Dwayne Lyons on the right, he in turn quickly released Jason Keenan and he made no mistake from an awkward angle sealing the victory with his second of the day.
In the closing stages Santos could have added another with Colin Murray and Stephen Clarke having chances to net a third.
The victors have a free weekend after a bye in the Junior before the meet Enniskillen Athletic in the league while Irvinestown are in Junior Cup action where they host Suffolk FC.