Enniskillen Rangers 0-6 Tummery Athletic
Tummery inflicted Michael Kerr’s heaviest-ever defeat as Enniskillen Rangers manager as they beat the reigning league champions 6-0 at the Ball Range.
Shea Devlin scored four and Callum Hunter and Barry Goodwin also got on the scoresheet, as an injury-hit Rangers suffered their fourth consecutive defeat.
Tummery boss Kevin McAleer felt the scoreline was an accurate reflection of their dominance.
“We were very, very good. It really didn’t flatter us,” he said.
“We could even have had a few more, and we were so solid at the back that we limited them to a few crosses or half chances, and they didn’t have many great opportunities.
"From the first whistle, we were right at it. We were really up for it, and we dominated first balls and second balls.
"Shea Devlin was on fire with four goals, but everybody was really good. In the Kennedy Cup, we tried to press high and win the ball up there, and they were able to pass it around us.
"On a big pitch, we decided to sit in a bit and let them come at us, and they couldn’t find any spaces.
"They played very high and there was space in behind and we ate it up. The Ball Range is never an easy place to go, and I can’t remember a team putting six past Rangers.
"To do that against whatever kind of Rangers side you are playing, is a good marker to put down.”
The defeat means Enniskillen Rangers have now lost their last three league matches and have also exited the Junior Cup, but manager Kerr still has belief in his side as they go into this Saturday’s derby clash with Enniskillen Town.
“I said to the boys never get too high when we are winning, and don’t get too low when we are losing,” he said.
“We will turn it around. It is going to take time and there could be a few tough weeks ahead.
"It is not unexpected, but I’ve said to the boys not to get too low about it.
"Enniskillen Town are flying but in a local derby form kind of goes out the window, I have realised that over the years, whether you are going well or not.
"This week it will be about how much we want it. I will definitely be looking for a big response. The boys themselves are disappointed, and they don’t like losing, so it would be a perfect game to get something out of, whether that is a point or three points. It is something we want and we need.”
Enniskillen Rangers welcomed Mark Cutler back into the starting line-up for the first time in the league this season, but they remained without several core members of their squad due to injury.
Tummery suffered the late withdrawal of Tommy Mullin, and Barry Goodwin was unavailable to start the game, but it was the visitors that took control of the match from the outset.
Just two minutes into the contest they took the lead when Malachy McLaughlin and Declan McNulty combined on the left before finding Shea Devlin in space.
He cut inside and from 22 yards drove a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Fifteen minutes later a ball over the top of the Rangers defence allowed Devlin to race clear and poke the ball past Jamie Keys in the Rangers’ goal to double the lead.
He completed his hat-trick on thirty minutes when he found space 35 yards from goal and turned and advanced towards the edge of the penalty area before drilling a low shot into the corner.
The goals continued to flow in the second half. Two minutes after the restart Oisin Gormley picked up possession in midfield and threaded a pass between centre-back and full-back for Callum Hunter, who took a touch before firing past Keys.
Devlin grabbed his fourth goal after 55 minutes when he ran onto a through ball and finished calmly.
Substitute Barry Goodwin completed the victory with a sixth when he got in behind the defence and raced clear before lashing a shot past Keys.
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