Enniskillen Rangers 3 Rosemount Rec 0 Enniskillen Rangers produced a superb display to defeat beaten finalists for the last two years Rosemount Rec by 3-0 to progress to the last eight of the Irish Junior Cup for the first time in 18 years.

In doing so, they defeated a Rosemount team that had not lost a game since last year’s final and who had been on an unbeaten 25 game run before their visit to the Ball Range.

Rangers set the tone from early and two goals in the opening 15 minutes gave them the base from which to secure the win as Rosemount only rarely threatened and the ‘Gers pounced for the killer third goal on the hour to put the game to bed to all intents and purposes.

Mark Cutler continued his remarkable scoring in this year’s competition with a double to take his tally to 15 in the cup run while Adam Wallace hit the other.

Hence, it was a suitably delighted player manager Michal Kerr that spoke after the win.

“It was certainly one of our best performances of the season,” reckoned Kerr who missed the game himself due to injury. He added: “I have nothing but praise for the players because we had prepared well, we had a gameplan and the boys stuck to it and got their just rewards. Every player from one to 14 did their job and I have no doubt that on the balance of play and chances created we were the deserving winners.”

The early goals certainly settled Rangers and put them in a great position at the break.

Kerr agrees. “They are a good team and we knew they would come at us after half-time. That suited perfectly and we just hit them on the break to get the crucial third goal. As I say, the boys did everything that was asked of them which is very pleasing from a management point of view. In saying all that, we are only in the last eight and we have three big league games to play before that quarter-final. We can’t put all our eggs in the one basket and the boys know that if they are not performing in these games then their places are up for grabs. Competition for places is good and we will just keep on working hard and take each game as it comes.”

Indeed, Rangers did not have to wait long for the first goal as Rangers took the lead just after ten minutes. The excellent Stuart Rainey split the Rosemount defence with a neat pass inside the full back and centre half to play in Mark Cutler who made no mistake to slot home coolly for 1-0. It got even better for Rangers soon after as Cutler turned provider this time as his strong running was found by David Crozier and Cutler’s cross to the back post was arrowed into the top corner on the half volley by Adam Wallace.

The ‘Gers were in total control and Cutler could have made it three before the half hour mark when he again raced through but this time the visiting goalkeeper, Chris Rice, made a good save down to his right.

From there to the half, Rosemount tried to get back into the game but never tested Jerome Carleton in the Rangers goal.

The visitors did come out with more purpose on the restart as Ryan Stewart headed wide with Mark Miller causing lots of problems in the air.

However, Rangers sealed the game when Matty Chambers found Andy Johnston who broke free down the left and crossed perfectly for Cutler who stroked home his second of the game and 3-0.

From there to the end, Rosemount went more direct but with Neil Coulter, Joe Doogan, Crozier, Chambers and Carleton in fine form they only created one real chance.

Ryan Stewart’s looping header looked goal bound but Carleton acrobatically tipped over the bar.

Rangers then held out to book their place in the last eight.