IRISH CUP SECOND ROUND
ARDS RANGERS 4
BALLYMONEY UNITED 3
ARDS Rangers staged a remarkable second-half comeback as they came from three goals down to beat Ballymoney United and progress to the third round of the Irish Cup.
Even though Ballymoney had the advantage of a strong wind, the opening period was a very even affair with both teams going close to opening the scoring but that all changed when goals in the 22nd and 26th minutes gave the visitors a 2-0 lead.
Worse was to follow for Rangers as Ballymoney added a third after 34 minutes to arrive at half-time 3-0 in front.
Determined to get a foothold in the game, Rangers introduced three substitutes early in the second half with Jay Dalzell, Mark Armstrong and Philip Simpson (Snr) all joining the fray.
It continued to be end to end stuff but the locals did eventually get on the scoresheet with Jay Dalzell on target after 68 minutes.
Kurtis McGookin and Michael Hunter joined the action at this stage and minutes later, Dalzell notched his second. Ballymoney were still well in the game and went close to increasing their lead on a couple of occasions but it was the hosts who got the all-important next goal when Alex McIlmail levelled the scores with five minutes remaining.
With the seven minutes of added time almost over, it looked like the tie was heading to extra time but Rangers struck the decisive blow in the dying embers when Philip Simpson notched the winner to secure his side’s place in the next round – in which Rangers have been drawn at home against PIL side Rathfriland Rangers on Saturday, October 25.
