Enniscorthy 0
North Kildare 2

Enniscorthy’s men’s first eleven welcomed North Kildare to the Astro Active Centre on Saturday. The sides met just two weeks ago in Cup action with the Wexford men edging out the Kildare outfit by a single goal. North Kildare were sure to come to Enniscorthy with a score to settle.

The home side started strongly with Dunne coming close to opening the scoring when his shot went narrowly wide and struck the side board. The Kildare men were awarded a penalty corner shortly after but Hill and his defenders were up to the challenge. Enniscorthy’s press was restricting the visitors to aerial passes to try and break them down. The second quarter continued how the first had finished – with end to end action. Rothwell cleared his lines after a scramble for the ball in the home side’s circle. Shortly after, the visitors scored the opening goal of the game through Alistair Banner, doubling their lead just before the half time break when the Slaneysiders were outnumbered in their own circle and Michael Small was waiting for a tap in at the back post.

The Wexford side started the second half with a new energy with Dunne making a break up the middle of the pitch from the first whistle. Hogan found himself one on one with the ‘keeper but the Kildare netminder did enough to force Hogan’s shot wide. Enniscorthy were awarded a penalty corner shortly after but again to no avail. Despite the home side’s attempts on goal, they weren’t getting the rub of the green. The Wexford men continued to try and break down the visitors defence but with no luck and all three points heading back to Kildare. Despite the loss, thanks to a good run of results Enniscorthy still find themselves top of Division 4, ahead of Mullingar by two points. Graham Hill’s men will be hoping from a favour from Mullingar’s next opponents, tonight – North Kildare – to maintain their lead in what is a very competitive division.

Enniscorthy travel to Grange Road on Saturday to take on south Dublin side Three Rock Rovers in their final game before the Christmas break.

Squad: Graham Hill, Andrew Rothwell, David Simmons, Billy James, Seb Rynhart, Cian Hogan, Ben Doyle, William Durnan, Aodan O’Leary, Leo Durnan, Charlie Dunne, Robin Doyle, Graeme Chapman, Chris St Claire Johnson.