Rangers ran out comfortable 4-1 victors over County Fermanagh in the Junior Section at Ballymena Showgrounds on Tuesday evening.
The Glaswegians dominated the early exchanges and deservedly took the lead with eight minutes on the clock, powerful striker Zak Rudden producing a tidy finish from an acute angle after rounding the goalkeeper at his near post. Rangers left back Scott Gray was proving a menace with his lung busting forward runs and on one such occasion managed to flash a perfect delivery across the box but unfortunately no one was on hand to tap it in.
On 16 minutes and against the run of play, County Fermanagh won a penalty after an infringement inside the box. Callum Jones stepped up and confidently dispatched the spot kick low to the keeper’s right to get the local side back on level terms. Parity in the scoreline wasn’t to last for long however, as just three minutes later Rangers retook the lead courtesy of a stunning volley on the turn inside the box from Zak Rudden.
Rudden then appeared to embark on a one man mission to seal his hat trick, going close on numerous occasions. A brave catch from Fermanagh goalkeeper Lewis Muir denied him one in the first half alone as the sides departed for the half time interval with the Gers 2-1 to the good.
Three minutes into the second half Rangers extended their lead courtesy of a controlled finish from inside the box by Adedapo Awokoya-Mebude. Rudden went close twice more, forcing a fine save out of Lewis Muir in the process before eventually completing his hat trick with a typically classy finish. Jordan Houston had one final effort denied for Rangers before the referee called time on what was a thoroughly accomplished performance from the Glasgow side.
Next up for County Fermanagh is a trip to Anderson Park, Coleraine to take on Dundalk SL (kick off 3.30pm) whilst Rangers take on AS Roma-USA in Ballymoney (kick off 6pm).
Jordan Miller