Rathfriland Rangers v Lisburn Distillery (Playr-Fit Teamwear Premier Intermediate League) – Tuesday 20th February
Lisburn Distillery travelled to Iveagh Park on Tuesday night to face Rathfriland for the second time in the space of a month.
Barry Johnston made one change to the side from Saturday’s 1-0 win against Coagh, Johnny Newell dropped to the bench with Justin Grattan switching into the starting eleven.
Supporters will have remembered that in the previous game between the two sides the first action of note was Rathfriland taking the lead and this time was no different. Ruairi Fitzpatrick collected the ball on the edge of the box and turned the Distillery defence to fire home a great shot to put the home side into a 3rd minute lead.
Ronnie Haughey’s side could have extended their lead two minutes after going in front but Jack Chambers could not get anything on a cross from the right and the ball eventually went out for a Distillery throw in.
The Whites, playing in purple on the night, first threatened the Rangers goal when Ryan McNickle headed a deep corner back into the centre but Gerard Storey’s shot went well over the bar.
Johnston’s side responded well to going behind and were getting plenty of the ball into the wide areas on the big pitch but Jack Berry, Breandan O’Neill and McNickle’s crosses were all either cleared by defenders or were too close to Ronan Burns in goals.
The equaliser did come just before the 20-minute mark when a ball across the pitch found Berry on the right and while he may have thought of shooting himself, he instead passed infield to Storey who swept the ball home.
It was a fast-paced game with both teams going on the attack and seeking to catch the opposition on the counter and in the 25th minute Francis Brennan had to be alert to snuff out the danger from one of these counters. Then at the other end, a minute later O’Neill dragged his shot wide after controlling with his head and cutting in from the left.
After an encouraging response to going behind early and equalising Distillery found themselves behind again with just less than 30 minutes on the clock. I throw in was taken out on the left deep into the visitors half and Dalton Tate took advantage of some slack marking to head home when the ball entered the penalty area.
Ethan Carry was called into action to prevent the lead from being doubled in the 32nd minute after an attacker broke beyond the defence but it was 3-1 just a few minutes later when Johnny Angus missed his clearance and the cross from the right found Matthew Holloway in plenty of space in the centre to convert past Carry.
Everyone had barely enough time to catch their breath when the deficit was reduced when Storey scored his second of the game, a rocket from 25 yards that gave Burns no chance.
The action packed first half was eventually brought to a close, it has been mostly an encouraging performance but the Whites still found themselves 3-2 down at the break.
Half-Time: Rathfriland 3-2 Lisburn Distillery
Just like with the first half, the first action of note after the break was a goal with McNickle heading home an O’Neill cross at the back post in the 51st minute to complete a two-goal comeback for the Whites and draw them level much to the joy of the players, staff and travelling supporters.
Carry then had to be alert to make a crucial save in the 56th minute when a shot from the edge of the box made its way through the sea of bodied in front of the visiting goalkeeper.
The comeback was truly complete just before the hour mark when Berry latched onto a poor header from a Rathfriland defender and cut back inside and managed to squeeze the ball past Burns and there was jubilation when the ball, after what seemed an age, crossed the line. At the time, the goal was credited to the Distillery number seven but after reviewing the photographic evidence, it looks like McNickle got the final touch at the back post.
Things finally settled down for a ten-minute period or so but as the game entered the final 20 minutes, the Distillery defence knew they would have to be prepared for an onslaught as Rathfriland went on the hunt for an equaliser.
In the 72nd minute Carry came to the rescue again as he parried an effort away from goal following a short free kick and quickly covered up the rebound. Then with ten minutes to go Distillery hearts were in mouths when Carry fumbled the ball following a cross into the box and had to leave the penalty area to clear the ball out for a throw in with his feet. Unfortunately, the Distillery captain took a knock for his troubles and had to be heled off the pitch with January signing Joe McConnellogue entering the fray for his debut.
Entering the closing minutes of normal time, it was actually Distillery who almost added to their lead when first, a Joe Tully free kick from the edge of the box found the target but could not beat Burns and then McNickle had a shot that just whistled past the post.
The home side applied some pressure in injury time but in truth may be disappointed that they never really managed to test the Distillery substitute goalkeeper and the Whites weathered the storm to complete a great comeback and clinch two away wins on the spin.
Full Time: Rathfriland Rangers 3-4 Lisburn Distillery
Lisburn Distillery; Carry, Lewis, Geddis, Angus, Brennan, Lynch, Berry, Newell, McNickle, Storey, O’Neill
Lisburn Distillery substitutions; McConnellogue (for Carry, 81 mins), Woods (for Lynch, 81 mins), McVarnock, Devenny (for Berry, 81mins), Grattan (for Newell, 64 mins), Whiteway, Tully (for O’Neill, 68 mins)
Report by Cameron Moore (@cameron2604)
David Hunter’s picture gallery from this game can be found @ https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBf3SA
