Stalemate at the Diamond

Barn United 0

RATHFERN Rangers seem intent on keeping their supporters on tenterhooks, although a second successive point from two consecutive ‘derby days’ keeps them inching in the right direction

Even so, Saturday’s big bonus wasn’t this draw at home to Barn, but another one of their close neighbours, Grove United winning 4-1 at second-bottom Downshire Young Men, who remain four points behind.

On a hard, bouncy pitch perhaps a point apiece was just about right, although Barn had slightly the better of what chances were on offer – the one real moment of quality in the match coming on 33 minutes when United’s Paul Matthews showed superb control on the edge of the box, but his rasping drive demanded an even better save from keeper Neil Lovell, fingertipping the ball onto the bar.

Indeed, Lovell’s handling, and speed off his line were exemplary all afternoon, invariably reading the long diagonal balls that Barn were using to try and wangle some space on the tight pitch.

Opposite number Christopher Campbell went through that same spell when he wanted to use feet rather than hands, and is also back in his number one role, facing his first real test when he had to fling himself to his right to cling onto a low shot from Robbie Moore, fastening onto a neat lay off from Willie McMurdie.

Rathfern also went close when Gary Weir smashed a Neil Crawford cross wide of the target, before getting on the end of Colin McBride’s measured right wing centre, but his header back across the face of the box was hoofed clear.

At the other end, Paul Mathers bundled the ball in at the far post, only for referee Colin Rainey to rule it out for what must have been a borderline offside decision.

Just after the turnaround, it was Gary McKee’s turn to be halted in his tracks, for offside, after Andy Kane had nodded the ball on.

Rathfern’s Ian McGrath thumped one over before Colin Andrews, suggesting he had been pushed in the back by Marc Kelly, appealed for a penalty but instead only found his name jotted down in Mr Rainey’s notebook, presumably for going to ground just a little too easily.

Oddly enough it was keeper Campbell who wasn’t far off breaking the stalemate; Lovell doing well to cling on to a long clearance that bounced up awkwardly in front of him.

Although Colin McBride flashed one wide of the right hand upright, it was Barn who had cause for complaint on 71 minutes when Wayne Patterson’s run through on goal was halted by the referee bringing play for a United free kick, cautioning Gary Lovell in the process.

Rathfern skipper Colin Gardiner’s afternoon came to a premature end, when he was brandished a second yellow on 88 minutes, for a clear tug on McKee, who was making one of his trademark late runs from midfield.

It was Barn who came closer to winning it in the later stages, with Patterson steadying himself but blazing his shot high over the bar, while Sharples curled one wide of the right hand post.

Instead, it was Rathfern who almost had the last word, with a Robbie Moore shot pawed over the bar by the well positioned Campbell.

Barn host Kilmore Rec on Saturday at Haslett Park, while Rathfern complete their programme with a trip to Crumlin United.

Rathfern Rangers; N Lovell – C McBride, G Lovell, D McBride, Crawford – R Moore, McGrath, Gardiner, Weir (Duncan) – McMurdie, Andrews. Subs (unused) McKay, McCleery.

Barn United; Campbell – Lammey, Wakeham, P Mathers, Kelly – Patterson, McKee, McKinty, Matthews – Sharples, Kane. Subs (all unused), Monteith, Duff, James.

Referee; Mr Colin Rainey, Randalstown.