Mallen brothers fire in late winners for Rangers

A sub standard first half performance by the Gers saw them go in a goal down at the interval but a brace from in form striker David ‘Jerry’ Phillips edged them in front, albeit temporarily, but the late winning goals were a pair of crackers from brothers Andy and Stuarty Mallen.

St Mary’s took the lead on 32 minutes via a swift counter attack down the left and a cross to the far side was half volleyed in by their striker into the far bottom corner.

The interval proved to be longer than expected due to a floodlight failure but when play resumed it was Rangers who looked to have lifted a gear in their pursuit of all three points.

The equaliser arrived after a period of pressure on the Saints defence with Coly Cousins retrieving a deep cross and squaring for Phillips who poked home from six yards.

His second goal was crafted exquisitely by left winger Stuarty Mallen who picked the ball up on the edge of the box and curled a tantalising ball in behind the defender for Phillips to blast past the St Mary’s keeper.

St Mary’s sent the ball long from the clearance and when Mallen headed back to keeper Davison, the ball was dropped and pounced on by a St Mary’s player who tapped in to the delight of the home players and supporters.

St Mary’s should have won the game in the final few minutes when they hit the byline and crossed low but their striker sliced wide from two yards with an open goal at his mercy.

As the game progressed into stoppage time, Jeff Brady was sent clear on goal beyond the last defender who chose to take a red card for his team and hacked the influential midfielder down on the edge of the box.

Up stepped Andy Mallen who had come on as a late substitute and he casually took one step before placing the ball into the top corner to send the vociferous away support into raptures.

When the game restarted, St Mary’s loaded their pack forward and a clearance gave Stuarty Mallen the run of the half to finish the game in style.