Rangers share spoils with students

UUJ 1

Rathfern Rgrs 1

IT was honours even at the Factory Grounds, where Rathfern Rangers grabbed only their fourth away point of the season, and their first since their win at East Belfast back in August, against a UUJ side, who haven’t quite regained their pre-Christmas form, after having had to sit out the whole month of January, but are still nevertheless unbeaten since losing to Shankill United back in early December..

UUJ can’t have been too unhappy with a point, bearing in mind that they played all but the opening ten minutes without goalkeeper Eamon Browne, who could be out for the remainder of the season after damaging ankle ligaments in a clash with Colin Andrews.

Browne, just back from injury, did show his prowess on the short time he was on the field, pulling off an excellent save to defy David Moore.

It was the home side, though, who set the wheels rolling after just five minutes, when Conal McNally rose high to power home a perfectly weighted corner from Paul Darby.

UUJ were forced into a reshuffle on the retirement of Browne, with centre half Colm Maxwell, albeit not exactly a complete rookie, taking over the custodial duties, Grant Dunlop coming on at right back, and Brendan Mooney moving over to the centre of the defence.

Rathfern, meanwhile, also suffered an early injury blow, with Alan Solomon likely to miss the remainder of the campaign; Gary Dodds coming off the bench.

UUJ were well worth that early lead and could have doubled their tally had Gary McCullough, from only six yards, not seen his side foot effort brilliantly saved by keeper Neil Lovell.

IT was to prove a pivotal moment, as Rangers roared right down the field, with Andrews pulling the ball back for Moore who brushed past Darby, giving Maxwell no chance.

One all then at the break, and in the second session, both sides had their moments. UUJ, for instance, could have won it late on when McNally accelerated through only to be denied by another good stop by Lovell.

UUJ had another offering when Sean Walsh surged through, but Lovell again did well to smother, while McAlea fizzed one just wide.

At the other end, an overhead kick from Andrews careered off the bar, while Mooney cleared a late effort from Moore off the line.

Next Saturday, for UUJ, it’s another East Antrim derby where they travel to Barn United, while Rathfern return to the Diamond for the visit of third placed East Belfast.

UUJ: Browne (Dunlop) – Mooney, Maxwell, Turtle, Darby – McAlea, Dobbin, J Magennis, McCullough (Scollay) – McNally, Walsh. Sub (unused)

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