Enniskillen Rangers 4 Enniskillen Town 1

Derby day belonged to Enniskillen Rangers at the Ball Range last Saturday as they cruised to a 4-1 win over local rivals Enniskillen Town.

Michael Kerr’s ‘Gers did all the damage in the opening 35 minutes as they raced into a 4-0 lead and although the away side pulled a goal back after the break it was merely a consolation strike as Rangers picked up their first points of the season, much to the delight of boss Kerr.

“People talk about it being the derby and all that but for us it was simply about getting the three points to get up and running.

“It was about winning a game of football and getting points on the board and we’re delighted to have done that,” he said.

Town joint manager Rory Judge admitted that his side were second best on the day.

“I never have any problems in getting beaten by a better team on the day and Rangers were the better team on Saturday,” said Judge, who is seeking a response on Saturday at home to Castlederg United.

“We sort of know that the start of our season was going to be a bit like this and I don’t think Saturday’s result will be detrimental to our season but we will need a response on Saturday.”

Rangers were on the front foot from the outset and they thought they had taken the lead after only five minutes.

Mark White got down the right hand side and his excellent cross was met by the head of Jordan McClure at the back post.

Rangers felt his effort had crossed the line before Town scrambled it clear but referee Martin Crawford waved away their appeals as it remained goalless.

It was only a temporary reprieve though for Town as the hosts broke the deadlock five minutes later.

Another Rangers attack saw Mark Cutler put through only to be taken down by Town defender Matt Holden on the edge of the box.

Holden picked up a yellow card for the foul and from the resultant free kick Nathan Khan arrowed a shot into the top corner of Ben Thompson’s goal for 1-0.

Town’s first effort on goal arrived from a Cathal Beacom free kick, his low drive going just the wrong side of the post with ‘Gers goalkeeper Joel Peden rooted to the spot.

Rangers though continued to control the contest and with 27 minutes gone they doubled their advantage as McClure slotted home after good work by Cutler on the right.

Number three arrived three minutes later for Rangers as Justin Palmer fired to the roof of the net after a corner fell to him in the box and it went from bad to worse for Town as they conceded a fourth in the 35th minute.

Jason Keenan was taken down in the box which resulted in a second yellow for Holden and Cutler stepped up to convert the subsequent to make it 4-0.

Town did show a bit more intent at the start of the second half with Conall Quinn firing over the bar before Rangers were also reduced to ten men as Stuart Rainey was given his marching orders following a challenge on Beacom.

The away side did pull a goal back on the hour mark as Conor Watson clipped home a free kick to make it 4-1 but it was the home side's day as they finished up comfortable victors.

Next up for Rangers is a home game against Irvinestown on Saturday and Kerr is expecting a stern test.

“It will be tough, they had made a few signings and are always a difficult game and Saturday will be no different,” he said.