Burleigh grabs a winner for 'Gers

Editorial Department • Published 4 Mar 2010 14:09 0 Comments

Share this

Joe Doogan of Enniskillen Rangers makes a tackle during his side's 2-1 win over Barrowfield on Saturday.

Enniskillen Rangers 2; Barrowfield 1;

Enniskillen Rangers enjoyed a narrow win over fellow promotion chasers Barrowfield at the Lakeland Forum on Saturday with a goal ten minutes from time from William Burleigh securing a vital three points for the 'Gers.

Rangers' boss Billy Reynolds admitted the game could have gone either way in the second half and was delighted to have won.

"We started very well and went ahead deservedly before they came back at us and in the second half it was nip and tuck. They hit the bar but we took our chance when it came our way and that was the difference. It was great team performance from everybody and certainly the introduction of Mark Beckett helped turn the game our way. We know from last year that games in hand are not as good as points in the bag and we have to take the same attitude into every single game that we play that we have shown over the last three. We have another tough cup game coming up on Saturday and hopefully we can keep it going," said Reynolds.

Rangers started well with the excellent Andrew Carleton a constant menace down the right and he almost opened the scoring when William Armstrong fired in a great cross but Carleton just failed to get the touch that would certainly have brought a goal.

Carleton did not have to wait long to make amends when he latched on to a defensive mistake to go through on goal and he rounded the keeper to tap into an empty net for 1-0.

An on-top Rangers looked dangerous and almost doubled their money soon after when Louis Lindsay and Davy Johnston combined down the right with the former crossing for Gary Lynch whose near post header was saved before the ball dropped into the six yard box but a Barrowfield defender was quickest to react and cleared the ball.

The visitors started to awaken into the game and began to exert some pressure and it was not long before they levelled. A disputed free kick on the left was crossed into the box and Barrowfield had two players over at the back post and Jason McGonagle looped a header over Alan Ballantine and into the roof of the net for 1-1. Barrowfield then wetn close but Darren Gamble shot wide.

Rangers lost veteran Gordon Cutler to a broken collarbone at half-time and he was replaced by Mark Carters who turned in a a good second half shift.

Rangers had the first chance of the second half when Lynch went close but was thwarted by a good save after which a tense and competitive second half ensued between two well matched teams.

With 15 minutes to go Barrowfield went close when Stephen Donaghy crashed a shot of the underside of the bar which bounced on the line and was cleared amid Barrowfield claims that it had crossed the line.

Rangers though reacted to this scare and created a chance that they were to take to ultimately win them the game.

The introduction of Mark Beckett was crucial as he gave the 'Gers a new impetus and there was no surprise when he was involved in the winning goal as he turned neatly to create space and found Johnston who passed to Armstrong and he nicked the ball into the path of Burleigh who struck a good shot into the top corner of the net for a precious and important goal.

Thereafter Rangers held on with a degree of comfort and could have increased their lead on the break with a great Joe Doogan run only thwarted by a last ditch tackle.

A vital three points then for Rangers, they are closing the gap on Beragh at the top but there is much football to played as Division Two remains as competitive as ever.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 04 Mar 10

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.