Easy street for ’Stute as they march on
Only for a man of the match display from Glebe Rangers’ goalkeeper Lewis McIlveen, this result could have been a cricket score.
In fact striker Darren McFadden on another night could have gone home with at least two match balls, if he had taken the number of clear cut chances that were present to him.
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Hide AdThe Drumahoe side should have had this tie well and truly finished as they created a host of clear cut chances and were just too strong for the visitors.
It didn’t take the home side long to take the lead as they broke the deadlock on four minutes after a goal mouth scramble.
Darren McCauley’s right footed drive from the left hand side of the box was well kept out by Rangers’ keeper Lewis McIlveen but debutant Stephen O’Donnell was on hand to turn the loose ball home from close range.
’Stute had another great chance on 20 minutes when firstly McFadden’s close range effort came back off the post and Stephen Parkhouse blasted the rebound well over from 12 yards.
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Hide AdThe Waterside men doubled their advantage on 36 minutes thanks to Robbie Hume, who made no mistake blasting home past McIlveen.
Early in the second half some neat play by Darren McCauley and Parkhouse ended with the midfielder latching onto the striker’s clever through ball, but his close range effort was turned over by McIlveen.
McFadden missed another glorious opportunity on 56 minutes when Hume’s penetrating run ended with his cut-back finding the big front man on the six yard box, but his drive was blocked by Rangers’ defender Jackie Morrison.
Minutes later McIlveen came to his side’s rescue this time he did well to keep out Hume’s close range shot, as the Waterside men continued to dominate things.
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Hide AdOn 85 minutes Aaron Walsh broke from midfield, but his curling side footed shot from just outside the box was easily gathered by the impressive McIlveen.
Institute: Gallagher, Devlin, McLaughlin, O’Donnell, McKeever; McCauley, Walsh, Henderson; Hume, Parkhouse, McFadden. Subs: Reilly, Logue & Varma (not used).
Glebe Rangers: McIlveen, McRook, Hume, Sheppard, Morrison, McGill, Whyte, Kenoway, DMcVicker, A McVicker, Christe. Subs: Morrison for McGill (26); Donaghey for McRook (H-T); Carey for D McVicker (90).
Referee: Danny Coltan (Dromore).