GOAL. . . Winger Liam Martin neatly puts away Ballinamallard’s second goal into the far corner past keeper Alvin Rouse.
Ballinamallard United 2
Dungannon Swifts 0
It was nippy winger Liam Martin who turned on a show at Ferney Park on Saturday to give Ballinamallard United three welcome points.
Ballinamallard United recorded their third win on the bounce with this 2-0 victory over struggling Dungannon Swifs.
Martin who was instrumental in the Fermanagh side gaining three more points to open up a four point gap at the bottom of the Danske Premier League.
Fitzpatrick had the first real chance for Swifts after just six minutes, but keeper Stefan McCusker gathered well
The home side opened the scoring from the penalty spot through Jason McCartney after Liam Martin was bundled to the ground.
McCartney’s spot kick into the top corner of the net gave Dungannon netminder Alvin Rouse no chance.
But the Mid Ulster side had their chances in the first half with Andrew Burns’ stinging piledriver from 25 yards which was brilliantly tipped over by keeper Stefan McCusker.
Jamie Douglas should have levelled when he had a free header from a wonderful Gary Liggett cross, but his effort went narrowly wide of the far post.
In the second half Ballinamallard settled more and gave the visitors little chance at goal.
Just before half time Matt Hazley could have netted for the Swifts after a mix up in the home defence, but he fired over the crossbar.
Ballinamallard looked more composed in the second half and a move involving Campbell, Martin and Currie brought the best out of keeper Rouse, who had an outstanding afternoon.
Rouse was on hand again to make a brilliant stop from Campbell’s snap-shot from just inside the penalty box, while at the other end keeper McCusker saved well from Hazley’s close range effort.
The Ferney Park side added their second on 73 minutes after brilliant link up play between David Kee and Liam Martin, wich set Martin on his way towards goal.
The little winger outpaced the Swifts defence to shoot across keeper Rouse and low into the far corner.
Before the end Dungannon’s substitute Jamie Glackin did well to open a gap in the home defence, but Liggett’s resulting shot sailed over the crossbar.
Just before the final whistle substitute Johnny Lafferty conjured up a little space for himself to strike a low ball which again keeper Rouse did well to gather at the base of the post.
TEAM
Ballinamallard United: McCusker, McMenamin, Stafford, Kee (Elding 85), Martin (Lafferty 75), McCartney, Currie (Hutchinson 68), Foy, Campbell, Crilly, McLoughlin
Subs: Murphy, Dykes, Hutchinson, Elding, Lafferty