Carleton quality proves decisive as 'Gers secure good win

Editorial Department • Published 18 Feb 2010 10:19 0 Comments

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Rangers' Darren McQuade crosses the ball as the Enniskillen side defeated Ballygawley 3-0 at the Lakeland Forum on Saturday.

Enniskillen Rangers 3; Ballygawley United 0;

Enniskillen Rangers remain in the hunt for a return to Division one after a comfortable 3-0 win over Ballygawley at the Lakeland Forum with an Andy Carleton double the highlight.

With new signing Mark Beckett partnering Darren McQuade up front Rangers looked to have a better balance and this allowed Carleton to impress on the right side and the experienced midfielder helped himself to a goal in each half with man of the match David Crozier opening the scoring when his long range effort eluded the Ballygawley netminder.

Manager Billy Reynolds was delighted with the overall performance and the competition for places within the squad.

"It was a very pleasing performance and a good result. A few players have come in over the past few weeks and there is good competition for places with every one fighting for places. So, it is important that everyone keeps working hard in training and on matchday to ensure the momentum and quality of our play is maintained. We have a couple of tough league games coming up and then the Mulhern so there is plenty to look forward to but we must keep working hard."

The first half was a tight encounter with the Tyrone visitors giving as good as they got but it was Rangers' greater incision up front that was prove vital. Indeed, the 'Gers never looked back after taking the lead on ten minutes when Crozier pushed forward from left back and let fly with a good long range shot that ended up in the back of the net with the Ballygawley keeper sure to be more than a little disappointed with his positioning.

Ballygawley's best effort came on the half hour mark when they broke in down the left and Cathal McRory fired in a great shot that clipped the top of the Rangers bar.

Crucially, Rangers doubled their lead before the break with a super goal that owed much to the industry and quality of Gary Lynch. The young midfielder battled hard to win the ball in midfield and held off two challenges before playing a super diagonal ball into the box for Carleton who timed his run superbly to beat the keeper to the ball and slot home for 2-0.

Darren McQuade then did well when his turn and shot from the edge of the box was well saved as the game remained 2-0 at the break.

The third goal was always going to be vital in this game and Rangers got it one minute into the second half for just the start they would have wanted to the second period. Again it was good passing and movement that opened up the Ballygawley defence with Louis Lindsay doing well down the right before crossing to William Burleigh who took the ball down on his chest before beating the last man and unselfishly passing to the unmarked Carleton who gleefully tapped the ball into an empty net from close range. Rangers had chances to add to their tally with Beckett hitting a post and Burleigh waltzing past several tackles in the box but he could not get past the opposing keeper.

Ballygawley kept plugging away with Alan Ballantine saving bravely at the feet of Ballygawley Declan Quinn. All in all a good win for Rangers who have games in hand on their leading rivals and they will now look to get a good run going having had to endure a very stop start season thus far.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 18 Feb 10

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