Rangers hit for six as they taste defeat for first time this season

Local Soccer Scene with Mike Rafferty

St Bernard’s and Hibernians produced the results of a weekend which saw a first defeat of the season for Premier Division leaders Corrib Rangers, while in the lower regions of the table, a gap has opened as West United, NUI Galway and Salthill Devon have become a little more isolated.

St Bernard’s 6Corrib Rangers 2

This was just one of those days when defences could be marked absent without leave as loads of chances were created at either end and it was probably just fortunate that the home side took more than the visitors.

While it was Rangers who took the lead, matters were level at 2-2 at the break and though normally the city side are a very powerful organisation in the second half, on this day they were more than matched by an Abbeyknockmoy outfit who were just a little more clinical.

The outcome should be no surprise as Bernard’s took the first points of the season off the league leaders when holding them to a 2-2 draw in Westside recently.Colie Ridge finished a David Goldbey delivery for the opener, but two goals in a four-minute spell quickly turned matters in favour of the home side, as firstly Brian Collins finished at the far post, before Martin O’Connor got the last touch to a Daryl Finn shot to make it 2-1 with an own goal.

Just before the break, another Goldbey delivery was headed home in a crowded box by Paul Scally and the visitors were denied a third when Paul Smith struck a post.

The third quarter continued to provide end-to-end action and while the goals might have dried up for a spell, the home side struck twice in quick succession through a Kevin Ruane header and a Damien Flaherty finish to open a gap for the first time in the game. 

Rangers went chasing the game as they went to three at the back, but Barry Moran amongst others were having an off day in front of goal and they could find no further reward in the finishing stakes.Then, twice in additional time Bernard’s struck two further blows as Daryl Finn and Jason Finn added a further brace to stretch their advantage to 6-2.

The outcome looks decisive, but the margin rather flattered the home. However, sport is all about taking the chances that come your way and they certainly proved to be the kingpins on a day when finishers ruled the roost.

Despite the defeat, Rangers continue to lead the table by a point from Mervue United and the second placed side head to Abbey next weekend for what should be another interesting confrontation. 

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.