Rangers miss out on Town cup clash

Fivemiletown 3

RATHFRILAND travelled to Mid Ulster rivals Fivemiletown with high hopes of progressing to the next round of the Mid Ulster Cup and a tie against Banbridge Town but a 15 minute spell in the second half dented those hopes.

The first half was a keenly contested and fairly even affair. On a rather narrow and uneven pitch both sides tried to play some attractive football with Wilson and Sterritt going close for Rathfriland on several occassions.

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Fivemiletown always looked dangerous with the long ball over the top and maybe should have taken the lead near the end of the first half when their centre forward missed a great opportunity when clean through and shot over the crossbar.

Adair introduced the lively Chris Fraser at the start of the second half. This seemed to unsettle the home side with his added pace and energy.

Rathfriland started to take control of this cup game and it was following a period of sustained pressure that they took the lead. Midway into the second half, a corner from Black was flicked on by Gibbons at the front post and quick thinking Herron redirected the ball into the net with his head.

Shortly after this Rathfriland could have increased their advantage when Black was put through on goal, but big Fivemiletown keeper made an excellent save.

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This seemed to spur Fivemiletown into life and the game literally changed in a period of 15 minutes. First Gibbons cleared a corner of the goal line and then Rippon made a great penalty save from the big centre forward, James McKernan.

However, Fivemiletown got their reward moments when a long ball from the home defence caught Rathfriland on the back foot and the big centre forward stole in to head the ball pass over the stranded Rippon.

McKernan then made amends for his earlier miss when he shot past Rippon at the near post. His partner then scored the third a few minutes later to put the home side into the next round of the Mid Ulster Cup.

To Rathfriland's credit they battled on bravely to the final whistle, and with five minutes remaining they reduced the deficit through Haughey who had earlier replaced Gibbons.

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Sterritt, who had worked tirelessly up front, beat two defenders and his resultant shot was palmed into the path of Haughey to slot into the net. In fact the same player could have taken the game into extra time but for another fine save from the home keeper with literally the last touch of the game.

This was another frustrating afternoon for Rathfriland and Adair, and the locals must learn quickly to penalised teams when they are on the offensive and to cut out some of the defensive lapses.

Next week Adair welcomes former club Loughgall to Iveagh Park in the quarter final of the Bob Radcliffe Cup. Rathfriland hope to improve and show more resilience in their performance following their last encounter against Loughgall early in the year.