Written by Supercan Thursday, 27 October 2011 23:51
After enjoying the relative luxury of consecutive clean sheets, Rory Judge and his kindred spirit, Simon Grayson at Leeds United, got back to what they do best at the weekend - winning five goal thrillers.
Enniskillen Town United came from behind to see off the stern resistance of Beragh Swifts at a rainswept Lakeland Forum on Saturday last. Indeed it took a brace of second half own goals from unfortunate Beragh keeper Jonathan Crawford before Town eventually overcame their doughty Tyrone opponents.
As is so often the case, Town started the game in whirlwind fashion and were first to go close after a trademark run and shot into the Complex End from Frank Wallace. Wallace was causing all sorts of problems and was only denied by a last gasp tackle from Mark Adams after another mazy run and neat one two with Gary Beckett. Wallace then headed over after a good delivery from Cathal Beacom, while Crawford had to be at his best to keep out Beckett's long range effort that appeared destined for the top corner.
Town's early pressure paid dividends on seventeen minutes with Wallace and Beckett again central to proceedings. Their well worked corner saw Beckett send an inviting cross into the area and Malcolm Crawford was on hand to head Town into a well deserved lead.
Undeterred, the visitors started playing to their strengths as they set about narrowing the play in an effort to turn the game into a war of attrition. Conor Tummon had to be alert to block Stepen Browne before the equaliser arrived after twenty-six minutes. Browne was once again involved as his cut back was met by Michael Brown who smashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner of Pat Cadden's goal.
Undeterred, the visitors started playing to their strengths as they set about narrowing the play in an effort to turn the game into a war of attrition. Conor Tummon had to be alert to block Stepen Browne before the equaliser arrived after twenty-six minutes. Browne was once again involved as his cut back was met by Michael Brown who smashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner of Pat Cadden's goal.
Beckett did have a shot blocked by Richard Moore after another good run from Wallace but it was the physically stronger visitors who were starting to gain the upperhand in proceedings and they went in front three minutes before the break. A long ball over the top found Jamie McKeown (marginally offside may I add) and he needed no second invitation as he coolly slotted past Cadden.
Town did have a few half chances before the interval. Swift's scruffy Scottish centre-half Christopher Rae did well to block a Ryan Hanna effort while Ciaran Beacom also headed over after a Beckett delivery. However, it was the visitors who went in happiest as the half-time whistle sounded.
With the second period barely started and manager Judge's words still probably ringing in their ears, Town drew level. Wallace's cross found the feet of Mark Beckett who was unceremoniously tackled from behind by Rae leaving referee Kieran Quigley, who, may I say looked resplendent in his cherry red shorts, little choice but to award the penalty. Crawford did superbly well to touch Gary Beckett's effort on to the post but cruelly for him, the ball ricocheted off his head and into the net for a Town equaliser.
Buoyed on by this, Town returned to a more fluid, expansive game as they began to reassert themselves and again ask questions of the visitors. Crawford's shot found the side netting after a Gary Beckett corner and Mark Beckett also fired wide after a Wallace cross. Some good interplay between Gary Beckett and Cathal Beacom resulted in Beacom firing narrowly over before the game's pivotal moment arrived on the hour mark.
A Gary Beckett corner once again caused confusion and the ball fell to Town substitute Matthew McAuley who had barely been on the pitch two minutes. His low drive was blocked on the line by a defender, possibly Rab C Nesbitt, but the ball rebounded off the outstretched keeper's back as the unlucky Crawford scored his second and Town's third.
The impressive Stephen Browne replied immediately with a strong run and shot that was well saved by Cadden before Town were awarded a second penalty. Quigley was again left with no option but to point to the spot after Moore's foul on Gary Beckett, thereby, presenting Town with a golden opportunity to kill off the game and Crawford the chance to complete an historic hat-trick.
Beckett dusted himself down to take the resultant penalty and kept his end of the bargain putting the ball on a plate for the netminder. However, Crawford could only look on despairingly as he pushed his effort agonizingly wide off the post much to his disappointment and the dismay of the home faithful. On a more serious note, this is now the third consecutive penalty that Jonathan Crawford has saved from Beckett. I doubt if any other player, past or present, with the possible exception of John Lynch, holds such an audacious claim to fame!
Town continued to hold possession well and went close to a fourth on seventy-two minutes. Crawford once again denying Wallace. Beragh substitute Michael Reid watched a late effort go narrowly wide but it was man of the moment Crawford who had the last word producing another top drawer save to deny Cathal Beacom late on as Town prevailed in an entertaining encounter.
The Town: P Cadden, Ciaran Beacom, C Tummon, D McQuade, M Crawford, Cathal Beacom, R Hanna, P Crane, G Beckett, M Beckett, F Wallace.
Subs - M McAuley for Hanna (58).
Referee: Kieran Quigley - No real complaints.
Attendance: A provisional figure of 62-70. With the exception of Martin Hanna I am currently unable to confirm the interests or intentions of the nine people standing on the hill.
Top Townie: Jonathan Crawford.
Champagne Moment: Balotelli, Balotelli, Aguero, Dzeko, Silva and Dzeko. The champagne flowed freely and joyously. I had Beresy's Deliveries on speed dial before the night was out.
Comedy Moment: Affiliated referee Kieran Quigley officiating the day's top game in a pair of Enniskillen Santos shorts. It could only happen in the wild, wonderful and wacky world of Fermanagh and Western football!
Words from a Song: Donald where's your troosers?
Manager Watch: Still owes me a tenner.
