Rathfern get off to a winning start in 2010

Shankill United 0

RETURNING to action with eight defeats out of 12, and only 10 points out of a possible 36, fourth from bottom Rathfern Rangers are only too aware that they need to make a significant improvement in the second half of the season.

And sure enough, they got 2010 off to the ideal start with this well deserved two-goal success over the side sitting second on Saturday morning, Shankill United.

Joint Rathfern manager Ryan McCartney told the Times he was “well chuffed” with the win.

“I was a bit wary with us not having played for a while, but Shankill seemed to be feeling it too in the second half. We hustled and bustled – and from a team in our position, I want everyone battling, and every single one of them gave their all. There was not one player I could say was below par, and that was the really pleasing thing. As long as we can do that now every week.”

Rathfern opened the scoring on the half hour, thanks to a quickly taken free kick, where Gary Dodds slipped the ball to full back partner Neil Crawford to hammer home his first of the season.

Shankill could have been back on terms ten minutes later had a long range effort not bounced up and smacked off the upright.

The visitors exerted the early second half pressure, forcing a series of corners, without really troubling keeper Neil Lovell, and it was Rathfern who came closer when the manager’s younger brother Glyn, danced his way through, but, on his right foot and from a diminishing angle, his shot was pawed round the post by the Shankill custodian.

Rathfern looked comfortable at one-nil, but, bearing in mind they hadn’t managed a clean sheet in the league this season, they were mightily relieved when McCartney afforded them some breathing space ten minutes from time, swivelling onto a free kick swung over by substitute James Doyle.

Next Saturday, it’s back to the Diamond for a tasty Clarence Cup clash against Derriaghy Cricket Club. The following week, it’s a trip down the Shore Road to Haslett Park, Carrickfergus, to meet Barn United.

Rathfern Rangers; N Lovell - Dodds (Montgomery), G Lovell, Solomon, Crawford – Moore (Craig), Sloan, Gardiner, Weir (Doyle) – Andrews, G McCartney.

Player Out; Andrew Doyle, M/D, Nortel.