Carniny were looking very rusty after their long Christmas break and relied on Elliott in nets to keep the game level. A very scrappy first half deadlock was broken when the Rangers striker tried a speculative long range effort and despite Luke Elliott getting a hand to it, the ball went in for the half to end in Rangers favour.
Carniny restarted after the break in livelier fashion. Winning a free kick, Isaac Wylie floated the ball in and it fell to Lee Turner. His shot was deflected for the equaliser. This settled Carniny and they started to play some great flowing football from back to front with a Ross header just over the bar. An early ball from Luis White, released Anthony Greer. He outpaced the defence and hit the ball on the half volley from outside the box for 2-1. Rangers came right back and failure to clear the ball resulted in Portavogie scoring 2 quick goals for 3-2. Carniny pushed and from an I Wylie corner, Matthew Millar stabbed the ball goal-wards only for the keeper to parry the shot. Greer popped up to stab home his second. The game ebbed and flowed and great work from Tom Wylie and Calvert kept Elliott’s goal safe. Right at the end a brave header from McClean gave Joel Murray the opportunity to cross to Millar. He controlled and his shot was partially saved. On rounding the keeper he seemed to be impeded but Mark McClean following up side footed in for 4-3.
The lads go into the hat and know they must up their game if they are to continue progress but credit to Portavogie for their part in an entertaining game.
Panel - Elliott, Douglas, Calvert, Scullion, Turner, I Wylie, Ross, T Wylie, Greer, McClean, White, Murray, Millar