Killymoon Reserves recorded their third successive three-two victory last Saturday, this time defeating White City. A fine run of only one defeat in twelve matches stretching back to October sees Rangers sitting comfortably in the top six of the league and they must now be ruing a poor start to the campaign as this has cost them a real chance to challenge for honours.

However, Saturday's match was poor fayre and easily the worst performance in recent weeks. With the First team having no match the Reserves were able to strengthen the side by bringing back Marc Stewart and Ryan Glasgow together with Club captain David McMullan and they got off to the ideal start. Rangers took the lead in the opening minute when McMullan sent Scott through and his shot looked to be heading into the net before Mustafa Kaplan made sure at the back post. But instead of giving Rangers the confidence to kick on and turn on the style, the opposite seemed to happen with White City dominating possession for most of the half.

Killymoon were relying on the pace of their wingers and forwards on the counter-attack and this worked a treat as they scored twice more before the break. Yet again Kaplan was in the right place at the right time to tap home a cross from the left for his second of the match and third in two games. Then Marc Stewart produced a free-kick from twenty yards that flew past the 'keeper with the aid of a slight deflection. To even their own amazement Rangers found themselves three goals up at half-time having not played well at all. It was particularly hard on a visiting side who had dominated the play but lacked the imagination in the final third to break down Rangers' defence.

Despite harsh words from the management at the break, Rangers still couldn't be roused from their slumbers in a second half that can at best be described as methodical. Rangers constantly gave the ball away, their build-up play was disjointed and several players seemed to be well off the pace of the game for varying reasons. The introductions of the substitutes had little effect but Rangers seemed to be coasting to a comfortable win before almost being pegged back in the closing minutes. Keeper Stevie McKernan had already pulled off three superb saves before being beaten for the first time, even though there were suggestions of off-side about the goal. Then in the final minute he was helpless again when the otherwise impressive Brian Smith was left for dead by an excellent bit of skill from the White City forward and he kept his head in front of goal.

After such a good start to the match it said everything about Killymoon's performance that they were glad to hear the final whistle. They will know that they must perform much better than this in their remaining matches if they are to finish in a top four position.

Team: S McKernan, K Smith, S Papp, B Smith, J Devlin, M Kaplan, D McMullan, R Glasgow, K O'Neill, M Stewart, J Scott. Subs- G Brown, J Hall, B O'Donnell.