Higginbotham hits the ground running as ‘Gers canter to win

Enniskillen Rangers got their season up and running with a comfortable 3-0 over NFC Kesh at the Ball Range with new signing Darren Higginbotham making an immediate impact with a goal in each half. 
Rangers led by 2-0 at the break having dominated the majority of the half and they made the game safe in the final quarter make it four points out of six after two games. 
Rangers’ manager Michael Kerr was delighted with the win. 
“It was a comfortable win and it is great to get the first win of the season under the belt,” explained Kerr who added. 
“There is plenty to work on also. I felt we did not move the ball quickly enough as Kesh set back and tried to hit us on the counter-attack. When we did move the ball more quickly it paid off and Kesh struggled to stay with us, especially with the first goal.” 
Rangers have only one game in the next three weeks with Tummery having a free week and then it is a tough Junior tie away to Southside Rangers. 
Kerr says: “I suppose the break comes at a bad time but the boys are working hard in training, we have good numbers and I am delighted with all the new players that have come into the club. I have no doubt that we will improve with more games also.”
Rangers controlled most of the possession in the opening half but the game did lack a degree on intensity. 
The home side signalled their intentions in the opening five minutes when James Turley fired in a free kick and Neil Coulter headed straight at Kesh netminder David Smith. 
Turley himself then had a header as he flicked the ball on at the near post but again the well positioned Smith collected comfortably. 
At the other end, former Kesh keeper Jerome Carleton had to be out sharply to get the ball ahead of the always dangerous Mark Jones. 
On 25 minutes, Rangers took a deserved lead as their possession paid off Turley found Adam Wallace who stroked the ball through the middle of the Kesh defence for Higginbotham who took his time and slotted low into the corner of the net. 
It was 2-0 not long after as the impressive Christopher Currie this time played the ball into Andy Johnston, who took a touch, turned his man and fired low across keeper Smith into the net. 
Kesh had their best chance of the half when pressure in the Rangers half forced Carleton to the fist the ball clear and from the resulting cross, Jone turned well and shot but could only find the side-netting. 
The second half continued in a similar vein as Kesh introduced former Ballinamallard player Nigel Beacom. 
Rangers struggled to press home their territorial advantage with Higginbotham missing a good chance when cutting in from the right but he dragged his shot wide of the post. 
The industrious Willie Burleigh then played in Mark Cutler but he shot over the bar while Currie was at the heart of all things good for the ‘Gers. 
Rangers made the game safe with ten minutes remaining and a good goal it was. 
Currie and Cutler combined with the latter crossing the ball into the box and Higginbotham got in front of the Kesh centre half to head the ball low into the corner of the net for 3-0.