Strabane Sigersons...1-12

Fintona Pearses .........2-5

THE senior footballers of Strabane Sigersons maintained their fine form in the O'Neill's Sportswear Tyrone All County League Division 3 when they defeated Fintona last Saturday evening at Páirc Mhic Sioghair. It was a below par performance from Strabane but the end result was all that mattered – although it came at a cost with two Strabane players dismissed alongside a Fintona player in what was a tempestuous affair.

Strabane will know that they played well below their best on this occasion but still managed to gain a win which was all important but will know that they have to show a big improvement as the league reaches a climax with just five games remaining to be played and all of them vitally important.

By half-time Strabane had led 0-7 to 0-2 with Warner Mullen hitting four points, John-Paul Gallagher adding two and Martin McNulty also adding a point. Strabane had plenty of scoring opportunities but it was just one of those nights when things didn't go as according to plan.

Half-time score: Strabane 0-7, Fintona 0-2.

The start of the second half saw both teams trade points with Chris Devine hitting a brace for Strabane. Fintona then fired in a goal which rocked Strabane and then were awarded a penalty which they missed. Minutes later they scored a second goal that ensured that this game was going right down to the wire.

John-Paul Gallagher from a free kick and Anthony McMenamin from play, added points for Sigersons to maintain their slender lead.

The closing minutes saw Fintona and Strabane trade points with Chris Devine on target for Sigersons and then Fintona added another score from play to reduce the deficit to the minimum and just when it looked as though a draw could be the outcome, up popped an unusual source in full back Anthony McMenamin to crash the ball to the Fintona net for a winning goal, much to the relief of everyone associated with Strabane.

The game was soured by the late dismissals of the Strabane pairing of Richard O'Neill and Brendan McLaughlin with the Fintona goalkeeper also receiving a straight red card.

Strabane have no game this weekend but their next important game is a short trip to play North Tyrone neighbours Castlederg on Friday July 18. A much improved display than this encounter against Fintona will be required if the winning way is set to continue.

The Strabane team and scorers were: James O'Reilly, Kieran O'Kane, Anthony McMenamin (1-1), Aaron McLaughlin, John-Paul Gallagher (0-3), Stephen Stewart, Ryan O'Kane, Gerard McCrossan and Kyle Devine, Sean Ferry, Warner Mullen (0-4), John McLaughlin, Gerard Murray, Martin McNulty (0-1), Chris Devine (0-3).

Substitutes: Sean Barkley for Stephen Stewart, Brendan McLaughlin for Sean Ferry, Richard O'Neill for Gerard Murray, Ciarán Friel for Ryan O'Kane, Stephen Stewart for Warner Mullen.

The referee was: Martin Sludden (Dromore).

The game was very kindly sponsored by: Ulster Bank.