Westmeath keep Antrim at bay to maintain winning record

Westmeath made it five wins from five in Division Three to boost their promotion hopes and end Antrim's at Corrigan Park on Sunday.

In the end, Dessie Dolan's side were just more clinical as they took most of what they created, while Antrim will look back with regrets as they kicked some poor wides and saw three big goal chances come and go in a game that came down to fine margins.

Westmeath were able to punish the errors and open a bit of a gap in the second period they would maintain and this win leaves them well placed in the promotion hunt, while Antrim with three straight defeats are now looking over their shoulder.

It was a cagey opening five minutes before Eunan Walsh started a superb Antrim move out from the back and continued his run to get on the end of it, only to be denied by Westmeath goalkeeper Jason Daly who saved out for a 45.

Michael Byrne missed the kick but redeemed himself with a great save from Jonathan Lynam at the other end.

Ronan Boyle finally broke the deadlock with a point for the hosts after eight minutes but Senan Baker tied it up from a free.

The visitors seemed to take a bit of a grip with two quick scores, but a Dominic McEnhill brace including a beauty from play tied it up once again.

The Saffrons would create another goal chance but Marc Jordan had his effort stopped on the line by David Lynch.

Kavan Keenan edged hosts ahead from a tight angle but Westmeath get back on terms immediately and they would take a 0-05 to 0-04 lead into the break after Danny McCartan weaved his way into space to score as Antrim were left to rue half a dozen first-half wides.

Westmeath enjoyed plenty of the ball straight after the break with the extended move finished by Conor Dillon, while Ronan O'Toole added another.

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