‘Gers back in top flight with a bang

Editorial Department • Published 26 Aug 2010 16:00 0 Comments

Share this

click to enlarge
Matthew McFrederick and Louis Lindsay in an aerial duel during Saturday’s game.

Lisbellaw United 1; Enniskillen Rangers 2

In the opening day of the Fermanagh and Western season newly promoted Enniskillen Rangers shocked a large crowd at Drumad, with a deserved 2-1 win over reigning champions Lisbellaw United.

In an intriguing contest Rangers out fought and out played their opponents for the majority of the tie and deserved their 2-1 victory.

Rangers boss Billy Reynolds was delighted with the victory but not shocked that his newly promoted side put one over on the champions.

“It is a great start for us and nobody would have expected us to go there and come away with the win. There is a quiet confidence about the club and the five new faces that have come in have gelled really well. I thought the boys showed great desire to win and they produced a performance that to be honest didn’t surprise me as I know the quality they have. We can’t be getting carried away though as this is only the first game of the season,” commented Reynolds.

Lisbellaw manager James McGrath had no complaints about losing the game and is hoping for an improvement from his side.

“I’d have none whatsoever. We just didn’t play at all on the day and we’re are capable of a whole lot better. We’ll be looking for a better showing this week,” he stated.

The game began at a frantic pace with both sides keen to gain an early foothold in the contest.

Rangers were rewarded for their hard work in the opening five minutes when Lisbellaw’s defence failed to deal effectively with a tricky situation.

Full back Jamie Khan was caught in possession and his desperate attempts at a clearance fell to a Rangers’ forward.

The initial strike ricocheted off the upright and at the second attempt the ball was put back into the box and was then slid home by Rangers striker Lee McQuaid to give Rangers the lead.

Rangers continued to dominate the early stages of this engaging contest and they always looked a threat in the final third.

Lisbellaw were desperately attempting to find a way back into the tie and skipper Kyle McCleery was becoming increasingly influential.

Eventually his hard work in midfield created an excellent opportunity for Paul Baron but, despite being well placed to score, the former Dungannon Swifts forward screwed his shot wide.

The home side suffered another major blow just before the end of the half: central defender Ian Veitch miscued a clearance and Rangers’ striker Eoin Donnelly slid the ball across the box to the oncoming Crozier, who easily beat McFrederick in the Lisbellaw goal.

It was the Enniskillen side who went into the break with the two goal lead: frailties in the Lisbellaw rearguard were costing the home side dearly.

However, it was the home side who dominated the early phases of the second half and they got their just reward with just ten minutes gone.

Kyle McCleery made a strong burst into the penalty area and a tug from McQuaid resulted in a penalty kick.

Andy Reilly calmly slotted the ball past Carleton in the Rangers goal to make it 2-1.

Lisbellaw continued to bombard the Rangers penalty area with crosses and shots but the centre back trio of Doogan, Crozier and Carters stood firm.

Rangers skipper William Burleigh was competing well in the centre of the park and his gutsy performance which typified this hard working Rangers side.

Paul Baron seemed the most likely to grab that elusive equaliser and he was at the centre of all the attacking moves from the home side.

With fifteen minutes left, Baron was denied his first of the season when Carleton produced a stunning reflex save to finger tip his header wide.

Baron finally got the better of Carleton, when he dashed inside and fired an effort past the former Kesh keeper. Much to the delight of the Rangers support, the ball smashed off the post and went out for a throw.

Referee Shane Corrigan blew his whistle shortly after for full time: Rangers had held on to record a stunning opening day victory at Drumad.

Lisbellaw will regroup now for another tough clash next weekend away against last year’s surprise package Glebe United.

Rangers have a home tie against early pace setters Ballinamallard United Reserves, who comfortably defeated Fintona in their opening fixture.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 26 Aug 10

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