Enniskillen Rangers 7 Enniskillen Santos 2 Enniskillen Rangers enjoyed an easy win over Enniskillen Santos in this derby encounter at the Ball Range as a blistering first half performance saw them romp into a 5-1 lead at the break from which they never looked back.

Santos did improve somewhat in the second period, pulled a goal back through Jason Keenan and forced Jerome Carleton into two smart saves but it was Rangers who reasserted with Mark Cutler bagging two late goals to take his tally for the game to four and Rangers’ to seven.

Rangers manager Michael Kerr was delighted to get the derby win and return to winning ways ahead of the biggest game of the season in the Junior Cup on Saturday against Rosemount Rec.

“I suppose with a derby it is about winning and putting pride in the shirt and that’s what we did. I thought we were excellent in the first half, scored five and could have had one or two more. The game was won at half time and we weren’t as good in the second half but got the points and that’s what matters.”

Kerr is now looking forward to a big Junior Cup tie against beaten finalist for the last two years Rosemount Rec.

“We know they are a good side, they have been playing well and winning in recent games, so we know it will be tough. It is a massive task but we are looking forward to it and it would be a great boost if we could be in the last last eight by 4.30pm on Saturday.”

Santos manager Joe Keenan was realistic in his assessment of the game.

“It’s the worst we have played all season,” he rued before adding.

“It was a diabolical performance, we had as good a team out as we can, we played much better when we played them earlier in the season, but we were very poor. Nicky Dunbar played well but after that we were second best all over the field. It is more disappointing because it was a derby game.”

After a slow opening quarter in which Rangers dominated the ball without creating much, the game sprung into life when Burleigh laid the ball off to Mark Culter who cut in and curled a fine left foot shot into the top corner for 1-0 past Peter Phair.

It was 2-0 soon after, Kerr’s free kick from 20 yards being deflected into the net by the boot of Joe Doogan and Rangers were three goals to the good on the half hour mark when new signing Danny Dunbar showed good pace and strength down to power through and slot home.

The goals kept coming as Mark Cutler got his second of the day as he rounded Phair to slot home before Santos pulled a goal back when Niall Cassidy crossed for Jason Keenan to volley home at the back post.

Rangers though had the last say of the half as Burleigh headed home when unmarked at the back post.

Santos threatened more in the second half, Carleton pulling off excellent saves to deny Jason Farry and Keenan before the elusive Keenan did make it 5-2.

However, it was Rangers that finished the stronger when Cutler bagged his hat-trick after a pass from Burleigh and then finished well to complete the scoring at 7-2 and a comprehensive win.

Michael Kerr concluded: “It was a good day all around, the players were delighted to hear before the game that Ced McLeer had won a volunteering award at the Impartial Reporter sports awards, he does a lot of work at the club and the boys all value the work he puts into the club and at the Ball Range.”