Irvinestown Wanderers 1 Enniskillen Rangers 4

Ten-man Enniskillen Rangers secured their fifth league win of the season as they defeated Irvinestown Wanderers 4-1 at the Bawnacre on Saturday.

The ’Gers made a flying start to the contest as goals from Richard Johnston and Christopher Currie helped them into a two-goal advantage after only 15 minutes and it remained that way through to the break.

Irvinestown did pull a goal back through Stephen Sheridan ten minutes into the second half, and they may have felt that there was something in it for them when Rangers had Philip Beacom dismissed.

But, with Wanderers pushing for a way back into the game, Rangers exploited the pace and Mark Cutler saw his cross turned into the net by home defender Conor McAleer before Jason Keenan wrapped up the win for the visitors.

“I felt it was a pleasing performance,” said Rangers coach Darren Higginbotham.

“We had a game plan, and wanted to pass the ball. I thought that the boys acquitted themselves well and we created some good chances and scored some good goals.

“We have Magheraveely now this Saturday and it is another game that we want to go out and try and win,” he added.

Irvinestown are sitting at the foot of the Mercer League table, five points adrift of safety, and while Manager Ryan Beacom knows that they need results, he was happier with the performance of his side on Saturday.

“I know it is about results and we didn’t get one and games are starting to run thin, but performance-wise I thought we were a lot better than we have been in recent weeks.

“I felt that the scoreline probably flattered Rangers but when you are at the bottom things often just don’t go your way.”

And it gets no easier for Wanderers on Saturday as they take on title-chasing Tummery.

‘Another tough one’

“It’s another tough one, but I’m happier after Saturday and we will look forward to it,” he said.

Rangers could not have asked for a better start to Saturday’s game as they took the lead with ten minutes on the clock. A corner from the left broke on the box, and Johnston was the quickest to react to volley home.

And the away side went on to double their advantage, as five minutes later Currie stepped up to slot a free kick from the edge of the box into the top corner.

Rangers remained comfortable after this and although Irvinestown did begin to see more of the ball, it remained 2-0 through to the break.

Wanderers though halved the deficit ten minutes into the second period as Sheridan followed up to tuck the ball home after Lee McQuade’s effort was parried by the ’Gers netminder.

And when Rangers had Beacom sent off, it would have given Wanderers hope that they could go and get something from the game.

With an extra man they looked to take the game to Rangers. but the visitors regrouped and they went on to wrap up the points.

They restored their two-goal lead in the 65th minute as Cutler broke down the left before drilling the ball across the box, which took an unfortunate deflection of McAleer and into the net.

And the game was put beyond doubt 15 minutes from time when a ball was played over the home full back to Jason Keenan and he cut inside before firing in off the post, to leave it 4-1 at the finish.