Co. Fermanagh Juniors 2 Rangers 1

The Co. Fermanagh Junior Super Cup squad made a dream start to their tournament with a 2-1 victory over Scottish giants Rangers at Bushmills.

Jay Ely gave the county the perfect start when he rounded the keeper in the first minute of the match, and Kacper Ferens extended their lead in the second half.

The Rangers captain pulled a goal back to set up a nervy finish, but the Fermanagh youngsters clung on to record a memorable win.

A delighted Ciaran Black admitted the victory over one of the tournament’s big name clubs was something the squad had dreamt about since the draw was made.

“The whole squad is absolutely buzzing. It is a fantastic feeling,” said the manager.

“The whole team was so together. Every tackle and every throw-in they were supporting each other. It's great. They know they can do it, and now they have proved it to themselves.

"They deserved it. Pre-tournament I told them we don’t start well and that was what we kept telling them, and straight from the kick off after 27 seconds, you can’t start any better than that. Then they kept their nerve. They worked hard and they deserve everything.”

The game was only 27 seconds old when Fermanagh broke down the right and Cathair Maguire found Jay Ely. The striker flicked the ball over the Rangers left back and brought it under control with his head before rounding the keeper and tapping in from six yards out.

Rangers responded well to the early setback and they had an effort wide of the post before Fermanagh goalkeeper Jake Agnew had to dive full length to push a free kick around the upright.

Rangers continued to pile the pressure on the Fermanagh defence, but they defended resolutely with Daniel McCarron and Timothy Armstrong commanding at the heart of the defence.

Fermanagh remained dangerous on the break and Ely had a shot blocked before Cathair Maguire produced a last ditch sliding tackle to deny the Rangers’ winger.

An Ely flick gave Ferens a sight of goal, but his low drive flew just wide of the post. The game was end to end and Agnew once again dived to push a shot past the post just before half time.

McCarron deflected a Rangers’ effort wide of the post in the first moments of the second half, and from the corner Agnew was thankful the header was straight into his arms from six yards out. Ely then found space in the centre of the Rangers’ defence and his shot was well saved, but the keeper could do nothing moments later when Ferens extended Fermanagh’s lead.

Centre back McCarron went forward for a free kick and his presence caused confusion in the Rangers’ defence. Ely blocked their attempted clearance, and the ball fell kindly for Ferens who produced the most composed of side footed finishes from 10 yards to spark scenes of celebration among the large travelling support.

Agnew then made a great double save, but with three minutes remaining the Rangers’ captain turned inside a defender and curled a 25 yard shot into the top corner.

It set up a tense end to the contest, but Fermanagh held firm in the closing moments to seal a stunning triumph.

The Juniors will hope to build on their early success tomorrow with a match against a highly fancied St. Patrick's Athletic squad up next.