Brilliant Byrne

AUGHRIM RANGERS ASHFORD ROVERS 2 1

AUGHRIM RANGERS got their WDSL season up and running on Saturday as they were crowned Under-14 Community Shield champions after coming from behind to beat Ashford at Bridgewater Centre Park.

Rangers didn’t have the best start to the game as they went a goal behind within the first five minutes as they failed to clear their defensive lines and Ashford took advantage.

Ashford’s Sam Greene went on a great run before firing a powerful shot that hit the post, the ball came back off the post but as Rangers failed to get the ball clear Ashford striker Conal Lynn drifted into the penalty area and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Lynn continued to cause trouble for the Rangers defence as his height and pace was difficult to handle.

He almost got his second of the game on the 17th minute when Adam Clack’s delivered corner found the head of Lynn.

He rose above everyone in the penalty area to head the ball towards to top corner, but Rangers keeper Mark Shannon somehow managed to tip the ball over the ball, a great save by the Aughrim shot stopper.

Rangers started to dominate possession and regain some confidence after going behind so early in the game. Although they were producing a lot of chances they just couldn’t find the back of the net.

Eoin Canna went close on the 30th minute when he went one on one with the Ashford keeper but Fionn Doyle made a great save to keep his side in the lead.

Right on the edge of half-time, Rangers found their breakthrough with a goal from Oisin Keegan. Keegan went on a great run into the penalty area before slipping the ball under the Ashford keeper and into the bottom corner.

Rangers were unlucky to have their goal ruled out in the second minute of the second half as Adam Daly scored half volley from close range but was marginally standing in an offside position before connecting with the ball.

Ashford began to sit deeper and deeper putting 11 players behind the ball at all times, this made it difficult for Rangers to get another goal to put them into the lead.

Eoin Canna hit the cross bar on the 60th minute from close range, Canna drifted into the penalty area and was squared the ball across the goal from Cian Keogh, but Canna was leaning back and hit effort hit the cross bar.

Rangers finally had their breakthrough on the 65th minute when Finn Byrne found the bottom lefthand corner with long range effort from outside the penalty area.

Byrne was just outside the penalty area when a cleared corner fell