Byrne’s late deflected effort seals win for ’Gers
Enniskillen Rgrs 2 Mountfield 1
ENNISKILLEN Rangers maintained their recent run of good results with a 2-1 win over a battling Mountfield at The Ball Range on Saturday.
The visitors had taken the lead midway through the first half but Jason Keenan had the ’Gers back on level terms before the interval with Joel Byrne’s late deflected effort then sealing all three points for Michael Kerr’s charges.
“The best team won the game, albeit we left it late to win it,” said Kerr.
“Bar the goal, they didn’t have any opportunities and we kept going and got the win we deserved in the end.”
And Kerr was pleased with the efforts of his team to come from a goal down to take the points.
“It was good to get the three points, especially after going behind against a dogged team. I was delighted with the team and to get the three points is very pleasing,” he added.
Next up is a meeting with Kesh who sit a point behind Rangers, but with a game in hand.
“It is going to be a tough game. It is never easy going there but we will be doing our best to return with the three points,” said the ’Gers boss.
Rangers had looked lively in the early exchanges against Mountfield with Jordan Mcclure heading wide from a Richie Johnston ball while Mcclure then saw another effort come back off the underside off the crossbar from a Jasoncluff cross.
However, Mountfield were to take the lead when a ball over the top was latched on to cut back for Niall Mcfadden to finish.
Rangers were soon back on the front foot again and Cluff fired wide when one on one before Keenan levelled in the 40th minute.
Nathan Khan played the ball over the top and Keenan scooped it over goalkeeper Sean Fox to the back of the net.
Fox had a fine game for Mountfield and he pulled off a good save from Khan at the start of the second half before pushing over Jake Browne’s attempt from the rebound.
The chances kept coming for Rangers as they bossed things in the second half, and Keenan fired high and wide after being put through, while Mark Cutler was then denied by a last-ditch challenge from a defender after good work by Stuart Rainey.
And just when it looked as if they were going to have to settle for a point, Rangers popped up with the winner.
Johnston teed up teenager Byrne and his effort took a deflection and ended up in the back of the net, much to the delight of the ’Gers players and supporters as they took all three points.