Strathroy Harps complete a league double over Rangers

IT’S been quite a while since Strathroy Harps completed a league double over Enniskillen Rangers but Benny Boyle’s team did exactly that with a hard fought 1-0 victory at Strathroy Road on Saturday.

A second half goal by young Dylan Taggart secured all three points which takes the Harps level on points with their opponents in mid table.

Harps’ seventh league win of the season was also more than a little timely. Not only was it the perfect way to end the year but it too will give Strathroy a shot in the arm as they prepare for a crucial Irish Junior Cup tie against Drumquin United at the start of January.

Benny Boyle is expecting an improving Drumquin to present a challenge to his team and the Harps supremo will certainly demand the same industry, endeavour and character his players showed in this titanic mid-table tussle.

Rangers weren’t found wanting either in terms of work-rate and commitment although the visitors will reflect on a number of missed opportunities just before young Taggart grabbed the all important winning goal.

If anything Enniskillen just about shaded the verdict in the opening 45 minutes and early doors an under hit back-pass by Boyle almost let in Rangers striker Jason Keenan but home keeper Dermot Donnelly was first to the ball to clear.

At the other end Tommy Murphy headed over a Mark Sloan free kick before the same player ballooned well over the crossbar.

Thereafter the visitors took a grip of things as Donnelly denied Mark Cutler who had been picked out by Jake Browne.

Donnelly then caught an attempted chip by Aidan Gardener, again in the wake of excellent play by Browne, and shortly afterwards Gardener turned provider by crossing from the right but Keenan’s volley at the back post came back off the base of the upright.

Moments later Keenan volleyed straight at Donnelly from 20 yards and then had an effort chalked off for offside. On the stroke of half-time Rangers went close again with Boyle blocking a goal-bound shot by Cutler with centre-back partner Ronan Taggart completing the clearance.

The visitors continued to ask questions of Harps in the opening period of the new half.

Cutler dashed in from the left and slid the ball past Donnelly but the backtracking Sean McCrory was on hand to clear off the line.

Keenan then had two glorious chances, one from a ball over the top by Browne and the other from an Gardener right-sided cross but on both occasions the experienced marksman volleyed over when it seemed easier to score.

Shortly afterwards Harps forged ahead. Following a sweeping move on the right, Murphy clipped a ball into the mixer and Taggart forced it home at the back post despite the best attempts of Joel Peden to claw it out.

Strathroy could have quickly doubled their advantage but Eoin McManus brilliantly blocked a shot by the overlapping Richard Laird following excellent play by Eoin McAnulla.

Thereafter Rangers huffed and puffed to try and get back in the game but with very limited success while Harps were becoming increasingly dangerous on the counter attack.

Murphy and McAnulla both threatened and on one occasion the pair combined to release Joachim Smith on the left but the midfielder’s shot failed to trouble Peden.

In the end it mattered not. Harps had done enough to claim the points and they now look forward to taking on Drumquin for a place in the last-16 of the Junior Cup next month.

A minute’s silence was observed before Saturday’s game in memory of loyal Harps follower Austin Mimna.