Enniskillen Rangers 3 Lisbellaw Utd 1

Neil Coulter earned the first league win as Enniskillen Rangers player manager as they edged out Lisbellaw United at the Ball Range to secure their first win in four games.

“I was very happy with the performance,” said the new manager. “I thought we could have added a few more goals but I thought we controlled the game and bossed the possession. I was disappointed with the goal we conceded, but it was nice to get the three points on the board. I definitely think we deserved it.

“We could have been four or five up after the first half. They came out and worked hard but they couldn’t contain our movement off the ball and our passing. After a turbulent few weeks with Michael leaving and a lot of injuries, we’re starting to get the boys back and we are going alright at the moment.”

Kyle McCleery felt his side put in an improved performance despite coming away from the match empty handed.

“I felt like we played a lot better than we had been previously,” he admitted. “I was happier with our overall performance and that gives us plenty of positives to build on, but obviously it didn’t provide the result we were after. They kept the ball well and they were on top for long spells, but it felt like the key moments and the key decisions in the game went against us.

“I was pleased with the effort and the performance that we put in and it is something to build on, but now we have another very tough game away to Dergview Reserves who are absolutely flying. They are probably the in-form team at the moment so it will be tough, but we do have positives to build on and we will go out there and give it our best shot.”

A key moment of the match came on the stroke of half time when Rangers netted a penalty to take a 3-1 lead, with McCleery feeling aggrieved at the decision to award the foul against his team.

“I was disappointed with the penalty decision because it didn’t look like there was any sort of contact whatsoever,” he stated.

“ In my opinion, Mark Cutler had lost possession of the ball and went down, and the referee gave the penalty. The reaction of our players told me there was no contact. It was given against Lewis Vance, and he was bewildered. It was a really soft penalty that changed the nature of the game because if we go in 2-1 down that changes everything, but they had a two goal cushion and they were able to play their usual brand of football and have a wee bit of freedom in the second half.”

Rangers made a positive start to the match and took the lead 15 minutes in when Ciaran Smith and Stuart Rainey exchanged passes before Jason Keenan volleyed in from 12 yards.

Rainey almost added a second with a deflected shot that looked destined for the corner of the net, but Sam McDonald stretched to turn the ball past the post, and on 35 minutes Lisbellaw levelled.

Sam Lindsey’s corner was flicked on by Robbie Little, and Scott Moutray volleyed into the roof of the net from close range.

It was a short lived boost for the visitors, however, as Rangers retook the lead almost immediately. A Rangers corner was whipped in towards the near post with Mickey Kerr challenging Nathan Graham, and the ball deflected into the net with the Rangers ex-boss claiming the goal. Lisbellaw had a great chance to equalise but Ryan Lindsay had his shot saved, and from the Rangers counter attack they were awarded the controversial spot kick, with Keenan scoring his second of the game.

In the second half Jake Brown rattled the post from a tight angle with Currie’s follow up shot well blocked by Lewis Vance.

Lisbellaw’s best effort of the second half was a spectacular overhead kick from Sam Lindsay, but it was well saved and Rangers held on to their advantage to take the points.