County Down Outlook - Sports - Queen’s given the first degree

Sports

Queen’s given the first degree

Wednesday, 18 January 2012

Queen's University 2. Rathfriland Rangers 3.

RATHFRILAND Rangers made the journey to Belfast on Saturday and, after twice coming back from a goal down, won by the odd goal in five.
At a super pitch with excellent surrounding facilities, the Whites got the reward of a third round tie away at Kilmore Rec, with Ryan Evans ultimately the difference in the two sides.
Rathfriland actually were a goal down as early as the first minute when the Queen's right midfielder crossed for the big No 9 to head into the net from close range.
The visitors then went agonisingly close to equalling the scoreline when a cross from Ryan Evans was superbly volleyed by Ally Beck from a narrow angle, but the ball clipped the face of the crossbar and over for a goalkick.
The big and youthful students always looked capable of creating an opening in amongst Rathfriland's neat ball play with Wilton called into action, making a great save.
Glenn Waddell went close, with a header being cleared off the line and Coulter also missed the target by a whisker.
On the stroke of half time, Ryan Evans' take and control from a great ball from Waddell allowed him to cut inside on his left foot and curl a neat low shot round the 'keeper and into the bottom corner to make it 1- 1.
On the restart the game got better and better with a brilliant second half for the large travelling support to enjoy.
The introduction early in the second half of the Queen's No 15 was a real help to the home side as he helped their offensive play and it was from one such attack that he set up for the No 10 to jink his way round a couple of players and coolly slot the ball into the bottom corner to give the University a 2-1 lead.
Rathfriland's football in the aftermath of this goal was excellent as they probed and cut their way through the home side's rearguard.
Baird and Davidson in the full back positions were getting forward well as they pushed up the pitch, creating a number of chances. Scott Ward and Paul Gibbons put in great shifts in centre midfield with Gibbons nearly equalising only for the fingertips of the Queen's goalkeeper.
Philip Davidson had a rasper of a shot point blank saved as well as the visitors threw everything at Queens while at the other end they went close to stretching their lead.
Ryan Evans continued to torture the left back time and again and it was he that equalised for Rathfriland with his second goal of the game when he cut inside and rifled a great shot into the roof of the net to make it 2-2.
Ally Wilson then clipped the crossbar with a header while Ally Beck went on a mazy run with the 'keeper again pulling off a great save to deny him. With three minutes remaining, Rangers were awarded a penalty when Evans was upended by the keeper and Ally Wilson blasted in the winner with a powerfully hit spot kick.
The gallant Queen's team had no time to recover and it was Rangers who progressed to the next round of the competition. Rangers got better as the game went on but ultimately it was Ryan Evans who was the difference in the two teams.
Line-up - David Wilton, Philip Davidson, Nathan Baird, Aaron Marks, Glenn Waddell, Scott Ward, Paul Gibbons, Ryan Evans, Stevie Coulter, Ally Beck, Ally Wilson.
Subs - Simon Mcwilliams, Neville Gibbons, Ian Weir, Andrew Bell.