Boyle brace helps ‘Veely to the points

Maghervaeely 3 Enniskillen Athletic 1

Magheraveely picked up a valuable three points against Enniskillen Athletic on Saturday afternoon at the Peace Link Centre to move level on points with the Enniskillen side.

A tense and tight opening was decided by a strong second half from the home side after defender Clint Thompson gave Athletic a half time lead. Two strikes from Cormac Boyle guided Magheraveely to victory with all four goals coming from set pieces.

Despite neither side being at full strength, both teams were able to welcome back a handful of players with the Gaelic season drawing to a close.

Chances were limited in the first half as the teams defended well, Athletic came close to scoring 20 minutes in when Gavin Greene curled a corner towards the back post before it came off the crossbar as Magheraveely were let off with just a scare.

Ryan Mcnulty was called into action a couple of times but both shots from range were unable to cause any real danger to the Enniskillen goalkeeper.

With ten minutes to go in the half, Greene again sent in a corner towards the back post and this time Thompson was able to bundle the ball over the line through a group of players to give Athletic a 1-0 lead.

Magheraveely came out strong in the second half as they controlled much of the early possession as Athletic defended their lead. The home side managed to find an equaliser ten minutes into the half as Joe Williamson headed the ball in at the near post from a corner to reward his teams early second half pressure.

Just past the hour mark Magheraveely edged themselves in front as they won a free kick in a dangerous position and Cormac Boyle was able to find the top left corner with a well-executed right footed strike.

Boyle struck again moments later when he took one touch from an Athletic goal kick and fired the ball back toward goal from 35 yards, goalkeeper Mcnulty thought he had done the hard work when he got his fist to the ball, but it dropped, and backspin carried it over the line for a bizarre third goal to wrap up the win for Magheraveely.

Athletic manager Darren Rodgers said after the game: “It was an even first half and both teams never really worked the keepers, it was more of a midfield battle. We just didn’t come out in the second half until it was too late.”