Cairns on form for Gers Reserves in Shield victory

The Gers needed extra-time but in the second period their dominance and fitness shone through with two goals to stop the game going to a penalty shootout.

A running theme for the Reserves under the management of McCullough and Moffett has been their quick starts and this game was no different.

The opening goal arrived in the third minute when Jason Adamson was on hand to convert the scraps off a long Dean Gordon throw which was flicked on by Stuart Cairns.

Hanover were able to equalise midway through the first half when Luke Brown headed in a cross for the away side. This seemed to curtail both teams who played out the rest of proceedings very cautiously.

Dean Gordon and Ryan Weir had chances for Rangers whilst Parkes was called into action on several occasions and responded with fine stops to make sure the tie went into stoppage time.

In a game of few chances, it was the Rangers sideline who encouraged their side to push for a winner in the second half of extra time and the bold move paid off. In the 102nd minute, two substitutes combined as James McCann went free down the wing and squared for Aaron Chambers to tap in from six yards.

As Hanover restarted the match, they were left exposed at the back and the game was soon put to bed when Dean Gordon picked the ball up on the half way line and beat two defenders and edged away with a turn of pace before side footing past the Hanover keeper.

In the end, another great result for the Rangers side who had several 16 year olds playing with Stuart Cairns deserving the man of the match award.

This Saturday, the Reserves travel to Crewe United whilst they await the winner of Goodyear vs Coagh Reserves to find out who they play in December in the next round of the Mid Ulster Shield.

RANGERS: Jonathan Parkes, Matthew McCrum, Reuben Cobb, Wayne Nelson, Knuckles, Jason Adamson (Aaron Chambers), Scott Lindsay, Dean Mallen, Stuart Cairns, Matthew Holloway (James McCann), Dean Gordon, Ryan Weir (Mark Ball).