Rangers are not short of firepower

Rathfriland started well with Ryan Evans and Ally Beck attacking down both wings. All the posession that Rathfriland had failed to create any clear goal scoring chances.

Half way during the first half Rathfriland should have taken the lead from the penalty spot but Ally Wilson blasted wide after Decky McAlister was upended by the shorts keeper.

The break through did come when Wilson played a lovely ball over the shorts defence for McAlister to take one touch and fire low and hard into the bottom corner to make it 1-0 to Rathfriland minutes before the half time interval.

Rathfriland got off to a sloppy start at the start of the second half and a mix up in the box allowed the shorts striker to slot the ball into the net from close range to make it 1-1.

Conceding this goal must have woke Rathfriland up as they dominated the rest of the second half and it wasn’t look before they had regained their advantage after good build up play in the centre of midfield lead to the ball being moved to the right hand side and a pin point cross allowed Scotty Ward to volley the ball home.

Rathfriland didn’t have to wait long for their third goal - this came after good work on the left hand side from Ally Beck left the ball for Decky McAlister to fire the ball into the top corner for his second and Rathfrilands third.

Rathfriland created loads of opportunities to increase their lead with Ryan Evans, Stevie Coulter and Ally Wilson all going close.

Wilson would get on the score sheet finally with a quick double. The first he was after a good turn in the box and his left foot short across goal hit the inside of the post and in.

His second was a bit more lucky after a cross from the left the Shorts goalkeeper played the ball against his own player and as the ball was rolling into the net for an own goal Wilson slide in to claim it for himself.

This was an overall good team performance from Rathfriland and will be hoping to continue this good run of form into their next two home games on Thursday and Saturday.

TEAM: Harrison, Coulter, P Evans, Munn, Larkin, Ward, Henry, R Evans, Beck, Wilson, Allister.
Subs: Bell, Toal.