Wonderstrike helps Rangers to win

Dunmurry YM........................0

RATHFRILAND Rangers played hosts to mid table opponents Dunmurry YM at Iveagh Park on Saturday winning 2–0.

It was another solid team performance without the Whites emulating the performances of the last few weeks.

Dunmurry came with their game plan, intent in making life difficult for the locals with a 4-5-1 formation. At the heart of their midfield was former Distillery playmaker James Bell.

The first half was a keenly contested affair with few chances for both sides. Rathfriland had the most joy down the flanks through Evans and Weir.

Midway through the first half saw Rathfriland’s best move of the game resulting in a first goal for playmaker Ryan ‘Pixie’ Moffatt. The ball was picked up by Walsh in midfield and his fine ball was flicked on by Wilson into the path of the rushing Moffat and he coolly slotted the ball into the corner of the net.

The home side could have increased their lead minutes later when beck headed wide following good work by Evans. Neither side created any chances in the remaining minutes of the half and the half time score read 1–0 to Rangers.

In the second half it was mostly Rathfriland with Wilson instrumental in all that was good about the home side’s play – he also had two great shots just wide and just over the crossbar.

Ryan Evans had a great run and pull back but Rathfriland could not take advantage while at the other end the big and physical Dunmurry side were always dangerous on the break.

Rathfriland went 2–0 up on 85 minutes with probably one of the best goals seen at Iveagh Park for a long time – Gibbons did well to set Sterritt into the channel and his fantastic Feetwork and nutmeg of two defenders allowed him then to progress and cross the ball for Ryan Evans to thump a crashing volley in off the underside of the crossbar – a truly memorable goal.

The pressure was off now to some degree but again Wilson’s skill allowed him to break free and centre but both Sterritt and Towell just failed to connect with the target. Overall a grinding result against a dogged and physical Dunmurry team but in the end Rathfriland’s quality sawn them through.

Team: Wilton, Waddell, Weir, McWilliams, Henry, Herron, Evans, Moffatt, Wilson, Beck, Walsh. Subs: Gibbons, Sterritt, Towell.