Strathroy 0 Enniskillen Rangers 4

Enniskillen Rangers recorded their first league win of the season as they fired four goals past Harps to inflict Strathroy’s first defeat of the campaign.

Stuart Rainey gave Rangers the perfect start with a goal in the opening minute of the contest, with Ciaran Brough, Jason Cluff and Jordan McClure all adding to the score in the second half as Rangers ran out convincing winners.

An understrength Rangers had been frustrated by their opening day draw against Beragh  Swifts, and manager Michael Kerr admitted it was hugely important that they got their season up and running as quickly as possible.

“It was a fantastic win,” he said. “We had obviously drawn the first game of the season and we knew we had to put in a good performance and get three points on Saturday.

"It was something we had spoken about during the week, and we felt it was almost a must-win game even though it was only the second game of the season.

"We just didn’t feel we could lose that game. I was really pleased with how the boys performed and with the final score.”

“We put a massive emphasis on being defensively strong and disciplined and rolling up our sleeves.

"We knew at times it might not be pretty, but we didn’t care. We had to get the job done. They maybe had more possession because we let them.

"We let their back four have the ball and tried to hit them on the counter attack. We had the better chances but 4-0 probably flattered us a wee bit.

"It was a win that was long overdue against Strathroy. I don’t think we had beaten them for four or five years in the league so  they were kind of our bogey team.”

Rangers made the perfect start when they found the net seconds after kick-off. They won possession deep in their own half and Ciaran Brough’s pass set McClure racing down the left wing.

His low cross was turned in by Stuart Rainey, whose near post run had edged him ahead of the covering defender.

McClure came within inches of extending Rangers’ lead before halftime when he struck the outside of the post, but midway through the second half the away team did double their advantage when they picked up possession on the halfway line and a through ball set Ciaran Brough free.

He evaded a last-ditch tackle on the edge of the penalty area and slotted past McClenaghan in the Harps’ goal.  

With ten minutes remaining McClenaghan’s poor pass gifted possession to Jason Cluff and he lofted the ball back over the keepers’ head to make it 3-0.

Two minutes from time  a solo goal from McClure sealed the win, as he charged forward from his own half, evading a defender before firing into the bottom corner.