Rangers hold Lurgan Blues XI in friendly

The visiting team had no fewer then eight first teamers in the starting eleven – a true test of “The Whites” on their Saturday off!

In the early stages of the game it was the visitors who opened up the Rathfriland rearguard with three decent efforts with Henderson and McGrory going close but Shane Harrison in the Rathfriland goal was in top class form with a string of fine saves.

Coulter was always buzzing in midfield for Rathfriland and was instrumental in all that was good in their play. He set up Wilson and Beck and also himself went close.

The deadlock was broken when a Glenavon back pass was lifted by the `keeper signalling an indirect free kick which resulted in Wilson firmly curling into the bottom corner to amke it 1 – 0 to Rathfriland.

In the second period one would have been hard pushed to tell which of these teams played in the Amateur League as Rangers continued to play good football with Beck and Sexton creating a lot on the flanks.

Glenavon had a goal ruled out for offside but they did score on the hour mark when Henderson showed great feet to calmly slot into the net from six yards out to level the scores at 1 – 1.

Wilson brought the best out of the Glenavon `keeper while at the other end Shane Harrison again was in super form with two excellent stops from McCashin`s shot and Haughey`s header.

Rathfriland introduced young Andy Stewart for his first taste of Iveagh Park action and he didn’t disappoint with a great 20 minutes work.

Overall a great workout for Rangers and an excellent performance against a very good Glenavon side.

TEAM: Harrison, McComish, Baird, Allister, Murray, Evans, Coulter, Beck, Weir, Wilson, Heslip. Subs: Sexton, Stewart, Bell.