Whites go through

RATHFRILAND Rangers travelled across three counties on Saturday to lock horns with Ballymena and Provincial league leaders Desertmartin in the first round of the JJB Irish Cup.

Rathfriland gained a lot of possession right from the off and went a goal up in the 10th minute when Ally Wilson rifled in a low free kick into the bottom corner.

They kept pressing with Beck and Ryan Evans on the flanks servicing the eighteen yard box brilliantly with Wilson and Stevie Coulter both going close. Ward then brought off an amazing save from the home goalkeeper but they went 2 – 0 up on 20 minutes when Coulter neatly picked up a slide rule pass from Kevin Henry and rounded the `keeper to roll the ball into the net.

Desertmartin rarely threatened although it has to be said that the back five of Harrison, Ally Evans, Decky Allister, Glenn Waddell and Paul Evans never allowed the battling front men a sniff at goal. A

lly Beck and Wilson continued to fire in shots but the Desertmartin goalkeeper was soon putting his marker down for his team`s Man of the Match performance.

Beck and Ryan Evans in turn tortured Desertmartin`s ful backs with great attacking play and centres into the box with Wilson and Coulter again going close.

Wilson then cleverly dummied for Ryan Evans to blast one straight at the `keeper but the third goal came for Rathfriland when Wilson nodded downward into the net with a stooping header after a great cross from Paul Evans.

“The Whites” then scored their fourth and final goal of the game when Beck`s shot was not dealt with well by the Desertmartin defenders or goalkeeper with the ball nestling in the bottom corner to make it 4–0.

Overall this was a great team performance from Rathfriland who are on a terrific run at the moment. With the attacking quality on display, there is no doubting the ability to score goals but the difference this season is that they are not conceding.

TEAM: Harrison, A Evans, Waddell, Allister, P Evans. Ward, R Evans, Henry, Beck, Wilson, Coulter. Subs: Feehan, Jess, Bell, Greene.