Managerless Whites held by Barn

With Rathfriland Rangers’ managerial hotseat vacant they hosted this fixture against Barn Utd with captain Stevie Coulter, Mervyn Groves and Paul Gibbons in temporary charge.

Against a much improved Barn team, Rangers gave a good account of themselves but for a 20 minute period in the second half where they let a precious two goal lead slip through their fingers and missed a late penalty to claim the points.

On the 15 minute mark Rathfriland too the lead when from an Evans corner Gibson out-jumped everyone to power a header into the roof of the net to make it 1-0.

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The lead was only held for five minutes as Rangers lost possession of the ball deep in their own half and the visitors broke away to score with a low shot from 10 yards after good interplay between the two barn strikers.

The Whites again went close when McClarty shot over but they regained the gap of a goal lead when Evans again crossed from the right and Scott Ward’s header came back off ‘keeper for Darren McGrath to fire into the net from close range.

Ian Weir reversed the ball in with his left and Lee Mackin stooped at the back post to powerfully head the ball into the net for a super goal and give the home side a 3-1 lead.

The Carrick side’s mobile and clever number 10 curled a fantastic shot into the top corner to make it 3-2 and give the game an interesting finale.

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The decisive point in the game came via a defensive error where the ball was to returned to the ‘keeper at the back but his attempted long kick up the field was smashed into the ribs of an uncoming striker and the ball found it’s way into the net to make it 3-3. .

In the 85th minute rathfriland were awarded what appeared to be a soft penalty but coulter’s spot kick was saved and the match finished 3-3.

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