NFC Kesh 0 Enniskillen Rangers 5

Enniskillen Rangers got their season off to the perfect start with five second half goals reflecting their superiority in this opening day fixture against a much-changed NFC Kesh side under new manager Nicky Noble.
Michael Kerr’s charges had dominated the opening period but failed to turn that dominance into goals on the scoreboard but all that changed in the second half.
The deadlock was broken two minutes into the second half and in truth Rangers never looked back thereafter to claim all three points.
Manager Michael Kerr was delighted with the win and with the patience shown by his team.
“To get three points, score five goals and keep a clean sheet was very pleasing,” said Kerr. He added: “We were never really stretched or stressed and the boys all played well. I was delighted with the patience the boys displayed and they did not panic when we missed a few chances and that paid off in the second half.
“We have a big game now this week against Lisbellaw which is always a physical battle and close game which I think it is a good game to have at this stage of the season and hopefully we can produce a good performance.”
Kesh manager Nicky Noble was a little disappointed that his team seemed to drop their heads after Rangers took the lead.
“It’s a new team and it will take a while for all to gel plus we need to get a few boys back from the gaelic. I though we matched Rangers for the first half but I was disappointed that we seemed to drop the heads too quickly. We are a young team and we will learn from this and we will work on the things we need to do at training this week. It will stand us in good stead and as I said last week, whoever finishes in front of Rangers will win the league in my opinion, they are a very strong team,” said Noble whose side are away to Enniskillen Town this Saturday.
Rangers played with the strong crossfield breeze helping in the first period and they pretty much dominated, wresting control in midfield and taking the game to the home team.
Mark Cutler had the best chance of the opening quarter with a header but could not find the target. Rangers were well on top though and Cutler crossed for the in-rushing William Burleigh but he pulled his effort just wide of the post.
Then player manager Kerr had a chance as he latched on to a breaking ball from a corner but he made poor contact and David Smith saved easily in the Kesh nets.
Kesh came closest in the opening period when they won a free kick 30 yards out but Nathan Cashel’s rising drive flew over the bar.
Just before the break, Kesh keeper Smith came out of his box for a ball and did not collect with the ball breaking for Burleigh but he lifted his shot from 25 yards over the bar and the empty net to leave the game deadlocked at 0-0.
Parity was not to last long in the second half.
Indeed, the second period was only two minutes old when half time substitute Darrin Simpson, who had a highly influential second period, broke down the right and cut in on his left before firing across a diagonal ball that curled into the corner of the net as Jason Keenan claimed the faintest of touches for 1-0.
It was Simpson again who created the next opportunity, again down the right, and this time he crossed for Cutler whose powerful header was brilliantly saved by Smith.
Jerome Carleton was called into action soon after when Lee Walker’s free kick front he left clipped the head of Rangers’ defender Richard Johnston but Carleton reacted well to palm the ball away.
Cutler then hit the bar with a rasping effort before Rangers doubled their money with another well worked goal down the right. Carleton’s pinpoint pass found Simpson who passed to Burleigh and he crossed for Cutler whose first effort was again well saved by Smith but the ‘Gers striker was up quickly to slot home the rebound with his left for 2-0.
Kesh then had their best chance of the match when a super Walker pass played in Cashel but he volleyed over the bar from just inside the box with 13 minutes to play.
It was game over soon after when Willie Burleigh headed the ball home from close range for 3-0 and it was four when substitute Andy Johnston controlled the ball well from a knock down and fired home.
With Rangers well on top, Cutler completed the scoring as he raced through and fired home low to the net for 5-0 and the perfect start for Rangers.