Official Cup

Opel National Arena
Spectators: 195 (Terracing: 147, Seating: 45, VIP seats: 3) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Raymond Johnston got the match started through his kick off. Russell Bennett scored 1-0 in the 3rd match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Fergus Fairbairn, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Rangers FC's Fergus Fairbairn played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Derek Findley in the 6th minute of play. Lisburn Distillery F.C. were awarded a corner in the 8th minute after Rangers FC's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Neil Deacon took the corner. Bradley Carr charged in rather forcefully in the 9th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Bradley Carr the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, Rangers FC's Bradley Carr got a free kick in the 10th minute. After 11 played minutes Rangers FC got a freekick which was hit by Bradley Carr. 12 minutes into the match, Rangers FC's goalkeeper Fergus Fairbairn had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Neil Deacon. Juvenal Moreira showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Raymond Johnston, who was totally free with the ball in the 14th minute. Fergus Fairbairn made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Vinnie Talbot in the 24th minute of play. Fergus Fairbairn made an important save on a dangerous shot by Russell Bennett in the 26th minute. Vinnie Talbot might have been able to make a better finish in the 27th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Fergus Fairbairn. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Vinnie Talbot ran back to his position shaking his head. Bradley Carr was shown his second yellow card after 28 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. 40 minutes into the match, Rangers FC's goal looked a bit too open when Russell Bennett came free, but Fergus Fairbairn reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Russell Bennett fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 43rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Fergus Fairbairn having to interfere. Russell Bennett received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 45th minute. Fergus Fairbairn tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 48th minute, Russell Bennett ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Fergus Fairbairn was frozen by the shot and now it was 5-0. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Russell Bennett was the one to do the kick off. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Russell Bennett in the 54th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Fergus Fairbairn saved Rangers FC from getting behind. Lisburn Distillery F.C.'s attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Neil Deacon in the 56th minute. Christopher Shuttleworth made a great header on Lisburn Distillery F.C.'s corner, it was just that Rangers FC's Fergus Fairbairn managed to reach the ball for a save. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Duncan Lynch during the 63rd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 63rd minute, Duncan Lynch hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Rangers FC's Fergus Fairbairn played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Derek Findley in the 68th minute of play. The supporters of Lisburn Distillery F.C. booed when Rangers FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 68 match minutes in a wonderful position. Raymond Johnston didn't get a good kick on the ball. Derek Findley struck a weak shot in the 71st minute. Fergus Fairbairn didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Lisburn Distillery F.C.. Fergus Fairbairn showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Russell Bennett in the 73rd minute of the match. Fergus Fairbairn showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Russell Bennett in the 79th minute of the match. Lisburn Distillery F.C.'s Russell Bennett got a good chance for a goal in the 80th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Lisburn Distillery F.C.'s Carl Payne was substituted for Christopher Shuttleworth. After a defensive mix-up in Rangers FC's zone, Vinnie Talbot stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Fergus Fairbairn came out of the goal and Vinnie Talbot tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Lisburn Distillery F.C. walked away with a well-earned victory that was much celebrated by the crowd.