Display pleases Coulter as Rangers cruise through in Mulhern

Enniskillen Rangers eased into the last eight of the Mulhern Cup as they proved too strong for Ballinamallard United’s second string at a resplendent Ball Range on Saturday.

In truth an expected strong challenge from the Ferney Park side never materialised and Rangers could have won by a wider margin with the visitors rarely troubling Enniskillen netminder Joel Peden.

Two goals from Jason Keenan and a third from Mark Cutler secured Rangers’ passage to the quarter-final. Rangers manager Neil Coulter was delighted to progress.

“It was a great performance, we started well, got three goals and could have had a few more.

“We knew they were a good footballing side but we got on top early doors and we made it very hard for them to get back into it. It was very pleasing and it is nice to get through,” said Coulter, who is hoping to go far in the competition.

“It is a target that we have set ourselves. We are out of the other competitions so we hope to go as far a we can in the Mulhern,” he added.

Mallards boss Emmett Friars admitted that his side were second best on the day.

“We would have been disappointed with our performance, we didn’t really show up, but in saying that I thought Rangers were excellent, they moved the ball really well and 3-0 flattered us if I’m being honest.

“But, we take our lessons from it and, I feel that we would have learned more from Saturday than we have done in a long time,” he said.

Took control

Rangers took control early on and never looked back after taking the lead in the 10th minute when good work from Ciaran Brough played in Mark Cutler whose shot was parried by Mallards’ keeper Daniel Gilmour into the path of Jason Keenan who rifled the ball to the net.

Keenan almost doubled his money a few minutes later when he superbly controlled a long ball from Peden with his right foot before striking the ball just wide of the post with his left.

Brough then broke into the box and his cross was blocked but the ball spun up into the air and Cutler headed over from about eight yards out.

Cutler then had another chance with his head following super work from Keenan as he closed down a clearance, kept control of the ball and fired in a cross which Cutler met but was unable to direct on target.

It was a tough opening half for the Mallards and while forward Nick Palmer led the line well they struggled to get any meaningful attacks on the ‘Gers goal.

The game was pretty much put to bed at the start of the second half when Keenan doubled the home team’s advantage, getting on the end of a diagonal ball from player manager Neil Coulter to head home.

It was 3-0 when Cutler got in on the scoring act as Keenan turned provider this time, working well down the right before crossing for Cutler to slot home.

Ballinamallard’s best chance came when the ball fell to Steven Drumm on the edge of the box who cracked a stinging drive just wide of the post.

The Mallards never gave up but the Rangers midfield of Khan, Smith and Brown pretty much controlled matters and it was Cutler who almost had the last say when he failed to get a decent touch on the ball at the back post as his effort squirmed wide from close range.

The final whistle sounded soon after with Rangers safely in the hat for the next round.