OMAGH UNITED .............................................1

BALLINAMALLARD UTD RES..............................1

A GAME lacking a player to stamp any authority on it ultimately secured the result it deserved at an immaculate but breezy Athletic Park. Two first-half spot kicks accounted for the scoreline despite a glut of chances, some gilt-edged.

The home side were given a tonic start from the first of those penalties, Mattie Chambers scything Benny Mitchell down in the area in only 38 seconds and the striker clinically sticking away the resultant award, probably the easiest Kesh whistler, James Farrell will make all season.

Chambers was, perhaps, fortunate not to walk although Mr Farrell failed to flash a card of any colour at the full-back who was clearly the 'last man' after Donal O'Reilly had been caught out by Diarmuid Kerr's ball down the left.

But the Ferney Park outfit, fielding three first-teamers, idle when their Carnegie League Cup Group D clash with Brantwood was called off to facilitate a Steele & Sons cup-tie, will feel equally hard done by events on seven minutes.

The referee took no action when United keeper, Dermot McKeogh appeared to take the legs from under Lee Glass as he attempted to convert Aaron Coulter's low near-post cross!

McKeogh was also relieved to see Neil Coulter's 15th-minute free kick fizz narrowly by 10 minutes before Conor McCullagh controlled the ball with his upper arm to prevent a Glass pass wreaking havoc in front of goal. The elder Glass, Jarno dispatched the second of the game's actual spot kicks.

The Mallards skipper should then have had the Fermanagh men ahead 10 minutes from the break, waltzing through and drawing McKeogh while the referee was otherwise occupied and apparently unaware of the drama in the United goalmouth.

However, under pressure from Ryan Fleming the hitman drilled his parting shot against a post and Fleming tidied up. Omagh then turned the screw and twice had golden opportunities to take an interval lead.

Paul McCabe scorned the first fashioned by John McPeake's delightful pass along the right and Mitchell leaving O'Reilly for dead and pulling the ball back. Alas, McCabe's deliberate hit ricocheted clear off Leon Carters when directed anywhere else it would have been 2-1.

Next, last week's two-goal hero, Kerr illustrated the Jekyll and Hyde nature of football. The left-sided midfielder burst through onto an exquisite pass but inexplicably took too many touches when it seemed easier to slot the ball past Mattie Quinn and the opportunity evaporated as quickly as it had arisen.

First points for NFC Kesh

CLABBY STROLLERS..............................................1

NFC KESH ..........................................................2

KESH, prompted by impressive central defender, Niall McMenamin, came from behind at King George V Playing Fields in Fivemiletown to post their first points of the new campaign, but it was a game neither side will look back on with relish and one Omagh-based referee, Tony Sharkey will want to forget.

The Fermanagh boys enjoyed the best of the opening exchanges but, with Roger Breen sweeping up impeccably at the back for Strollers, they had only skipper, Mark Jones's early shot, which flashed wide, to show for it.

Clabby broke to take a 19th-minute lead, Mervyn Funston, promoted from the Reserves, raiding down the right and whipping over a back-post cross which Nigel Keys converted with a fiercely-struck rising shot.

There was little to choose between the sides then until Kesh levelled just after the half-hour, Nicky Noble controlling a long clearance from Jerome Carleton and ushering in left-sided midfielder, Nigel Beacom to shoot low past Barrie Clingen aided by a deflection.

After Carleton had made comfortable stops from the splendid Little and Simon Livingstone Jones steered in what proved to be the winner (57) following good work by Alvin Anderson and Nathan Cashel which left him one-on-one with the veteran Clingen.

McGuigan sees red

IRVINESTOWN WANDERERS...................................1

TUMMERY ATHLETIC.............................................1

BOTH sides appeared happy with a share of the spoils at the final whistle although for the second match in succession Irvinestown finished without their full compliment.

Skipper Conor McGuigan was red carded for foul and abusive language early in the second half, a pivotal moment that meant a resurgent Wanderers had their attack blunted somewhat.

From the opening exchanges this derby contest had a draw written all over it, that was until Wanderers failed to deal with a Barry McCann corner kick and Paddy Molloy pounced to toe poke home.

That setback prompted an immediate response from the home side and shortly after the resumption striker Christopher Lyons sprung the offside trap to beat visiting goalkeeper Peter Ward with an accomplished finish.

However, just as it seemed that Wanderers had gained the upper hand, McGuigan received his marching orders and the stalemate resumed in midfield.

In the closing minutes though both sides had opportunities to secure the bragging rights.

Substitute Stephen McCullagh, Pete McGinn and McCann all went close before Ward stuck out a leg to deny Lyons a certain winner at the other end.

Bust-up with a difference at Castle Park

LISNASKEA ROVERS.................................................2 ARDSTRAW..............................................................5

AN extraordinary bust-up during Rovers' half-time team talk resulting in the dismissal of two players effectivelty handed the points on a plate for Ardstraw, who certainly didn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Goals by Ross Clarke - a 20-yard blockbuster - and a fine solo effort by Gary Fair had the Tyrone side firmly in the driving seat at the break.

And, following the remarkable half-time sideshow, which saw the two fighting players go at it hammer and tongs before being sent for an early bath, Clarke pounced with his second of the game.

Nine-man Rovers did manage to pull a goal back, but after Fair, Clarke and Ian Hill all hit the frame of the home goal in quick succession, Fair completed his brace with another trademark finish.

Then in the closing minutes Darren Boyd wrapped matters up with a well-struck shot from the edge of the area.