Tough fixtures for Rathfriland

RATHFRILAND started their league campain with a tough match against Valley Rangers on Saturday.

The game started well with both teams getting stuck in, the midfield of Ellis Cuppid, Mark Graham and Jamie McDowell worked hard winning the ball with Mark coming close with his shot being saved.

At the back Jonathan Cartmill was in fine form pulling of some great saves with a good defence in front of them of Brandon Davenport, Bradly Snowden and Ethan Monaghan all working hard to clear the ball. In the second half Kristian Annett come close to opening the scoreing with his shot hitting the upright, Valley were the first to score with a good move from the right splitting the defence with Jonathan unable to reach the ball, at the other end Rathfriland near leveled the scores with Marks shot just going wide, young Jack McKee was making some good tackels at right back. Valley got there second goal at the end.

In their last game of the day Rathfriland faced Moneyslane with both sides getting stuck in.

The lads began to show tired legs with Slane opening the scoring. Jonny pulled off a great save to keep the scores at 1-0 with Kristian at the other end missing out on a long kick out from Jonny bouncing over the Slane defence but the ball just wouldnt fall for young Annett.

The Slane got a second before the half.

Second half and the Rathfriland defence where under a lot of pressure with Bradly and Brandon making some hard tackles.

As the game wore on Ellis and Mark combined on the left were Mark won a corner which swong in but just went wide of the post Slane got two more goal towards the last with the game ending Slane 4-0 winners a good game played by all.