Written by Supercan Wednesday, 08 February 2012 00:32
In a week that saw iconic Quizmaster Bob Holness (he abhorred the term game show), laid to rest in his adopted home town of Ashford, Enniskillen Town United continued their Junior Cup run.
They starred in their very own blockbuster with a 4-2 victory against a resilient York Road Y.M. outfit, in an entertaining, if somewhat ill-tempered, Round 5 fixture at the Lakeland Forum on Saturday last.
Former Mulhern Cup winning, Shepshed Dynamo and Solihull Borough (one F.A. Cup appearence) goalkeeper Nigel O'Connor made a surprise return from retirement to start in place of the absent Pat Cadden. Regular custodian Cadden, like Dick Whittington (and Chips McCabe) before him, had gone to London seeking his fortune. Unfortunately, Michael Fish had other plans.
The afternoon started in poignant fashion. A minute's silence for the late Carol Beckett was impeccably observed by both sides before referee Trevor Hamilton's whistle signalled an action packed tie. The game started in explosive fashion and how fitting, that it was Gary Beckett's spectacular strike, that opened the scoring with only three minutes on the clock. Picking up a loose ball a few yards inside the opposition half, the razor sharp veteran spotted Michael Davidson off his line before executing a sublime lob that left the back peddling Davidson red-faced and put Town one to the good. It was reminiscent of a similar Beckett strike that I was lucky enough to witness on a glorious, candy-striped, autumn afternoon at Gortakeegan Park many moons ago.
The adulation had barely subsided before Young Men struck back in clinical fashion. The visitors were awarded a free some twenty-five yards from goal and Richard Dickie made no mistake, blasting his effort into O'Connor's top left-hand corner for game on.Daniel Rodgers had a chance to put York Road ahead but he shot wide. A well worked corner between Beckett and Frank Wallace ended with Wallace blasting over and Anthony Fitzpatrick also headed over from a Mark Beckett cross. The visitors responded and O'Connor had to be alert to stop a Craig Heaney headed effort after a dangerous free into the Town area. Gangly centre-half Heaney's aerial prowess and vocal abilities are obviously a feature of his game because on the evidence of this ninety minutes his passing could only be labelled, "To whom it may concern!"
Town restored their lead on thirty-three minutes. More perfect play from Beckett released Wallace and he outpaced Rhys Morris before directing a low finish past Davidson. Town looked to press their advantage and Young Men's Rodgers very nearly had a contender for own goal of the season. Beckett floated a free kick into the away box and Rodgers' powerful header crashed off the post before rebounding into the grateful arms of Davidson. Beckett also fizzed an effort across goal after another well worked corner with Fitzpatrick, as a rip-roaring first half drew to a close.
Town picked up where they left off, bossing the early second-half exchanges. Ryan Hanna should have done better from a Beckett cross, while Beckett himself fired an effort wide from the edge of the area. Town continued to press forward but were once again pegged back on the hour mark. A mazy Beckett run and cross failed to find the required touch and Young Men broke at pace. The ball eventually found its way to Dickie who grabbed his second goal after Rodgers' initial effort had been well saved by O'Connor.This lead to a sustained period of Young Men pressure, who were now enjoying their best spell of the game.
The Town rearguard had to be alert as a number of dangerous deliveries were played into the area. Best chance fell to lively substitute Mark McCann who looked set to head the visitor's in front until O'Connor punched clear in timely fashion.Davidson saved smartly from a Beckett piledriver and the ubiquitous Beckett was then involved a neat one two with Wallace before volleying his effort inches wide off the base of the post.The impressive Dickie also fired wide when well placed but it was Town who regained the initiative after eighty-two minutes. Once again Beckett was central to proceedings. The darling of the Complex picked out Conor Tummon with a well placed free. His close range effort was well stopped by Davidson but Malcolm Crawford was on hand to fire home the rebound. Sixty seconds later and it was very nearly a case of deja vu. Another Beckett free presented Crawford with the chance of an unlikely brace but he dragged his effort wide on this occasion.
Any lingering doubts that the home faithful may have had were erased with one minute on the clock. Wallace embarked on a trademark run before picking out Crawford with a pin point pass. He was denied by the unlucky Davidson who also saved well from Tummon's resultant overhead kick before Mark Beckett eventually bundled the ball over the line from close range.
It all proved too much for vociferous, Cheestring impersonario, Heaney who received his marching orders after picking up a second yellow for dissent. He was soon to be followed by Rodgers. His spineless, cowardly and disgustingly dangerous two footed lunge at Darren McQuade sparked angry exchanges from both camps before he received a well deserved straight red card from referee Hamilton.
However, not even this could spoil an afternoon when Enniskillen Town United returned to doing what they do best - slaying "Sammys" in the Irish Junior Cup.
We'll have a 'Q' for Quarter-Finals, please Bob.
The Town: N O'Connor, N Love, C Tummon, M Crawford, C Beacom, A Fitzpatrick, R Hanna, M McAuley, G Beckett, M Beckett, F Wallace.Subs - M Carters for Fitzpatrick (57), D McQuade for R Hanna (65), R Connolly for M Beckett (90).
Referee: Trevor Hamilton - Took the view that it's a man's game and while he may have been lenient on one or two late tackles, there could be no real complaints. Faced a difficult task with the underfoot conditions and heavy rain. Overall, a good performace in a good old-fashioned cup tie.
Attendance: 67 - four "young men", twenty-three young men, four women, thirty-five grumpy old men and one very grumpy old man.
Top Townie: There is and only ever will be one Gary Beckett.
Methylated Spirits Moment: The very real possibility that Neil Warnock is set to become the twenty- eighth manager of Leeds United. This once great club, with a proud tradition, not only faces an uncertain future but also the ignominy of employing a manager whose name is also an anagram of Colin W**ker. Sweet Jesus. Hand me the meths. Quick.
Comedy Moment: The lively 80th minute debate between both sets of players, officilals and supporters as to who most resembled a rat. It would appear that the issue still remains unresolved at the time of going to press. Could the real rat please stand up.
Words from a Song: Making Plans for Nigel.
Manager Watch: Can still shift when he wants to!
