Enniskillen Santos 5
Enniskillen Athletic –
There was little to separate these two sides for long periods in what was an excellent advertisement for Division 2 football in the Fermanagh & Western. The game was won in the last 25minute by Santos who made it 3-1 with a goal that both managers felt was offside. Santos would kick on after the decision went there way to run out comfortable winners with a strong finishing quarter.
Joe Keenan stated “We knew we were in a game right from the outset, they are a good footballing side and it took another great performance from our boys to come out on top. We got the rub of the green with the third goal and we finished very strongly to keep our good run going”
Counterpart Peter Goan felt the game turned in a few moments midway through the second half “we had a goal disallowed for offside moments before Santos registered their third which looked offside. It was definite turning point but I have to look at myself first and foremost, I made a lot of changes from last week Junior Cup winning team and although we competed well it may have had an affect on our performance”
Jason Keenan was the star of the show at the Lakeland Forum on Saturday as the winger netted a second half hat-trick to maintain Santos’ wonderful start to the season. It is now eight wins from eight in all competitions for Joe Keenan’s men as they have taken a commanding lead in Division 2.
In an evenly match and entertaining first period the score was 1-1 at the interval. Philip Leonard in goals for Athletic making some good saves to keep out Christopher Keenan and two fine efforts from Stephen Clarke. There was 25minutes on the clock when Santos opened their account, a whipped free kick from Conor Tummon evaded everyone and was turned into the net by Colin Murray at the back post.
Athletic though would be rewarded for some good play during the final 15minutes of the first half with an equaliser and they should have taken the lead within minutes of the second half kicking off. Gary Ramsey on hand to deny Mark Beckett and Josh McIlwaine.
Santos however would go 2-1 up with a stunning 30yard free kick from Francie Hynes, his left footed effort giving Philip Leonard no chance in the away goals. Midway through the half came the deceive third Santos goal, a flick on in midfield sent Jason Keenan running through one on one with Leonard, he rounded the ‘keeper and slide into the net with the visiting up in arms that the referee hadn’t given offside.
Keenan went on to add two more goals before the finish as Santos ended the contest on top. William Simpson had gone off injury for Atheltic, the strong centre back was missed over the closing stages, Keenan snapping up his second from close range before cutting in from the left and curling a fine right footed effort into the corner for 5-1.