Rushen 3-2 Peel
OLD FIRM CLASH: Peel's Lee Gale hurdles the challenge of Rushen substitute Ciaran Brown during Saturday's Premier League encounter at Croit Lowey
Published Date:
17 August 2009
RUSHEN made a dream start to the new Sure Mobile Premier League campaign on Saturday, with a 3-2 win over Old Firm rivals Peel at Croit Lowey.
Both the Spaniards and their counterparts from the west of the Island have been heavily tipped to mount a title challenge this season, but it was Gareth Jones's Port Erin side that made their intentions clear to the rest of the division with an impressive opening-day win over last term's runners-up.
Most of the Rushen hard work was done in the first half, debutant Justin Hawley and Josh Kelly giving the hosts a deserved 2-1 lead at the interval.
Peel improved after the break, but a further goal from centre-back Adam Cregeen gave the Spaniards a commanding lead.
Peel's new livewire Belgian forward Terry Rigaux capped an impressive debut with a late consolation, but it was too little too late for Rick Holden's Douglas Road outfit.
For once the weekend's encounter lived up to its top billing, as both sides contributed to a high-tempo and entertaining first half.
Despite making a good start to the fixture, Rushen found themselves one goal behind after just eight minutes after a moment of magic from western debutant Rigaux.
The Peel number nine sliced open the normally miserly home defence with an exquisite through-ball to strike partner Johnny Myers.
The former St George's man dummied Island team-mate Grant Dawson before rolling the ball into the empty net.
Last season's Railway Cup winners weren't behind for too long and took advantage of some lax marking in the Peel defence to draw level after 16 minutes.
Former Laxey midfielder Hawley grabbed his first goal for his new club with a fine looping volley after he was given time and space to pick his spot on the edge of the Peel box.
Rushen wingers Steve Riding and Tom Craine continued to torment their western opposition with a series of darting runs that kept Peel pinned back in their own half.
The wing play of Messrs. Riding and Craine was complimented by some good attacking play by the Rushen front two of Aaron Hawley and Josh Kelly.
Indeed it was the latter that deservedly put Jones's charges in front when he curled home a well-placed free-kick from 30 yards out.
Rushen should have perhaps made their swathes of possession count further in the final 15 minutes of the half, but the closest they came to stretching their lead was Aaron Hawley's flicked header that was somehow scrambled off the Peel line.
Despite improving after the restart, Peel still struggled to shackle their opponents in defence and nearly conceded a third when the impressive Craine's shot cracked the bar after a determined run into the Peel box.
Holden's men then came close to reducing the arrears when Kevin Megson's corner held up in the wind. Rigaux blasted the loose ball goal-ward only to see his effort cleared off the line.
Rushen were then perhaps lucky to remain at the full compliment, when the otherwise impressive Ryan Denham brought to an abrupt halt a rapid Peel encounter down the left.
Referee Chris Taggart elected to only book the Rushen centre-half when it appeared the number three was the hosts' last defender.
This, however, only proved to be a brief respite for the Peel defence who conceded a third just shy of the hour-mark when Cregeen powered home Riding's free-kick from the right.
Peel finally began to rally themselves and substitute Lee Gale and Myers forced fine saves from Dawson with half-volleys from close range.
However, with service to the Peel front two at a premium, Holden's men only grabbed a goal back at the death when Gale and Myers combined to feed Rigaux.
The new arrival in the kipper city swept a scorching finish past Dawson to hand his side the consolation of a second goal, but not a share of the points.
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