Enniskillen Rangers hit Strule United for six at the Ball Range on Saturday, the win firing Michael Kerr’s unbeaten charges to second in the table behind Strathroy Harps as they look like mounting a challenge for the title for the first time in many years.
Saturday was a comfortable affair for the Rangers, the Ball Range surface in perfect condition despite the heavy rain in the preceding 24 hours, as they showed a more clinical dimension to their game taking all their chances as they came to lead 4-0 at the break. The ‘Gers kept going in the second period to add two goals in the final quarter to put a gloss on a comprehensive win.
For Strule, they find themselves firmly in the relegation battle and have shipped quite a few goals in the last couple of weeks and will need to tighten up in that respect in order to get points on the board.
Player manager Kerr who had an excellent game himself was happy with the outcome and the performance of his team over the whole 90 minutes.
He said: “This week we took all the chances that came our way and that was the difference,” enthused the manager.
“We have been creating lots of chances but not converting them all, so it was pleasing in that respect. I was also delighted with how the boys kept the tempo going in the second half compared to last week and did not let Strule back into the game.”
For the first time in many years, Rangers are competing at the top end of the league and Kerr says it is just down to hard work.
“It is good to move up another spot in the table, it’s pleasing but we set ourselves high standards every week and we will just keep the head down, work hard and hopefully improve further.”
Rangers opened the scoring in the first five minutes as player manager Kerr broke down the left and delivered a perfect cross to William Burleigh who headed home unmarked from the penalty spot.
Rangers made it 2-0 soon after, Chris Currie fired over a corner and, under challenge, Strule keeper Christopher Burke could only parry the ball to the edge of the box where Kerr was on hand to rifle the ball to the roof of the net.
Just before the half hour mark, Strule came close when Joe Doogan gave away a foul 20 yards from goal for a push but Ronan Taggart fired his shot just wide of the post.
Strule created another chance soon after when Patrick Doherty played in Jonathan Browne but he pulled his shot wide of the post with only Carleton to beat.
Rangers then put the game to bed before half-time, as player manager Kerr pulled the ball back from the byline for Paddy Beresford who had the easiest of chances from close range which he gleefully accepted as Strule protested that the ball was out before being crossed.
It was 4-0 before the break as Kerr made it two goals and two assists in the opening period as he headed home for the second week running from a Currie free kick after a foul by the keeper outside the box on the wide right.
On the restart, Rangers continued to play the ball about and keep the pressure on the opposition.
Kerr introduced James Turley, Ciaran Smith and  Andrew Johnston with all adding to the game. It was 5-0 when John McPeake tried to intercept a Smith cross but could only divert into his own net and the game was sealed when Turley hit a defence splitting pass that played in the ever impressive Adam Wallace who slotted home for the final goal of the game.