Rangers reveal battling qualities to maintain their unbeaten run

CARRICK Rangers climbed to third in the Championship table after two goals in the last seven minutes ended Glebe's plucky resistance on Saturday.

Flying winger Paul Heatley and centre-forward Nathan McConnell delivered the vital blows after the visitors had fought their way back into contention through sub Owen Moody’s 75th minute strike to cancel out Noel Anderson’s opener for the hosts.

When the big midfielder drilled a 7th minute half-volley low inside the left-hand post - his first since returning to Taylor’s Avenue - Carrick looked capable of a comfortable win.

A rising drive wide of the target from Tom Elliott was the the nearest Carrick goalkeeper Paul McKane came to being tested before the interval.

It was a different story in the opposition box where an offside flag denied Anderson a second with a firm header, whille a nodded effort by stopper Davy McAlinden was saved superbly by Kane moments before the half-time whistle.

Visiting boss Gary Scott introduced Kirk Brace after the restart and his charges came close in the 48th minute through the always dangerous Trevor Parkhill.

A further change of personnel saw Moody replace Chris McAllister and a Glebe equaliser began to look a possibility. McKane beat away a cracking attempt from Parkhill before Carrick lost McAlinden to a calf injury, which saw him stretchered away.

Glebe were on course for maintaining their unbeaten start to the season with 15th minutes remaining after Parkhill’s defence-splitting pass was rolled home by Moody from inside the penatly area.

Heatley had other ideas, however, and when he picked up possession on the left wing with seven minutes remaining there appeared little danger until his dipping shot surprised Kane, who could only help the ball over the line.

McConnell secured the points six minutes later with an opportunist finish from six-yards. Sub Kyle McDowell stretched the Glebe defence before squaring for Heatley, who was unable to take advantage but he retained his compsosure to turn the ball back for McConnell to net with a downward header.

Result: Carrick Rangers 3 (Anderson, Heatley, McConnell) Glebe Rangers 1 (Moody).

Carrick Rangers: McKane, Boyd, Hogan, Deans, Anderson, McAlinden, Hand, Taggart, McConnell, O’Neill, Heatley. Subs: Toye, McClean (for McAlinden), McDowell (for Deans), Harmon (for Hand), Ciaran Still (gk).

Glebe Rangers: Kane, McComb, McClay, McCart, Sheppard, Patterson, Forgrave, Marks, Parkhill, Elliott, McAllister. Subs: Moore (for Forgrave), Moody (for McAllister), Brace (for McComb).

Referee: Andrew Davey (Bangor).

l CARRICK’S cracking start to the new campaign continued with a two-goal victory at Institute on Tuesday evening of last week.

Nathan McConnell and Glenn Hand did the damage against the north-west outfit who finished the Ladbrokes.com Championship game with only nine men.

Institute gifted Carrick their 11th minute opener. ‘Keeper Alan Ryan thought Paul Heatley’s free-kick from the left was drifting over the bye-line before Noel Anderson took advantage by nodding the ball back for McConnell to steer into the net.

Institute’s cause wasn’t helped in the 23rd minute when striker Vinny Sweeney’s debut was cut short with a red card for an over zealous protest after referee Tim Marshall turned down a penalty appeal.

Hand doubled the lead 12 minutes into the second-half. The midfielder headed the ball over the line from six-yards from Heatley’s corner, which had been awarded amid claims by Institute that he had pushed Eddie McIntyre.

The controversy continued with Semple booked for his views on the incident and that was to prove costly as almost immediately the full-back earned a second caution while tracking back against the impressive Heatley, who appeared to be tripped. The match official brandished the red card and Semple was off.

Result: Institute 0 Carrick Rangers 2 (McConnell, Hand).

Institute: Ryan, McClements, Wray, King, Crown; Semple, McClean, McClean, Divin, McIntyre; McCready, Sweeney. Subs: McShane for McClements (H-T); Harkin for McIntyre (70); Smyth, Falconer & Nicell (not used).

Carrick Rangers: McKane, Boyd, Hogan, Deans, Anderson, McAlinden, Hand, Taggart, McConnell, O'Neill, Heatley. Subs: Toye for Deans (65); McDowell for O'Neill (82); Harmin, McClean & Stitt (not used).

Referee: Mr Tim Marshall (Irvinestown).

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