Watson nets four against Whitehead

Watson got the show on the road in the eighth minute when he ran on to a nicely weighted pass from skipper Matt Cooper and blasted into the net.

Three minutes later Watson doubled his tally when he tucked away the rebound after Stewart McConnell’s initial effort had been parried by the keeper.

Mid-way through the first half Watson completed his hat-trick, after skilfully rounding the keeper.

Almost straight from the restart Campbell deservedly got his name on the scorecard, when he slipped the ball neatly under the advancing keeper.

However, it was Watson who completed the first-half scoring when he blasted in his fourth after pouncing on the rebound after Lutton’s effort had been blocked.

The Whitehead lads didn’t let their heads drop and offered sterner resistance in the second session, and held out until the 70th minute when Lutton made it 6-0.

Six minutes later Campbell doubled his tally with an angled drive past the overworked keeper, who was glad to see a Jordi Fettis header crash against the bar in a late attack.

“With only one league defeat to date that win keeps us in the top four, and perhaps we will be able to make a promotion challenge this season,” said secretary Wayne Lewis.

Grange Rangers: Loughridge; White, Mulholland, McAllister, Murray, Cooper (C); McConnell, Thompson, Campbell; Lutton, Watson. Subs: McNair, Fettis, McComb.

On Saturday Rangers travel to Newtownbreda, while Whitehead take on Bangor YM at Castleview Road.