Alex Gawne off the mark as Carrick claim away win over Dungannon

The opening post-split fixture of the Irish League campaign featured plenty of possession for the Swifts but Carrick enjoyed the greater cutting edge in a 2-0 win.

Encouraging early play at Stangmore Park for the hosts included Rory Patterson’s clever pass that provided Ryan Mayse with an opening but he fired wide from a tight angle.

Veteran Swifts goalkeeper Roy Carroll dropped low to get behind Michael Smith’s free-kick attempt before Caolan McAleer had an effort from distance which failed to test Aaron Hogg between the Carrick posts.

On 23 minutes, Carrick broke the deadlock as Gawne opened his account in Rangers colours.

Kyle Cherry’s superb cross from the right wing was converted with a glancing Gawne header to reward his near-post run.

McAleer was unable to divert on target from inside the area following fine approach play by Shane McGinty.

Another pass by McGinty presented Patterson with a glimpse of goal but his shot drifted wide.

Carrick managed to capitalise, once again, on success down the right side when, on the stroke of half-time, the impressive Lee Chapman capped his surging run with a clipped cross Anderson managed to convert.

Carrick’s cushion suffered a setback after the break with a red card for captain Daniel Kelly following an incident involving McAleer.

However, the Swifts failed to make the most of the extra man as Carrick finished with three points off the two-goal win to sit seven ahead of Swifts in the Section B standings

Dungannon Swifts: Carroll, Coyle, Teggart, Byers, McAleer, Smyth, Carvill, Mayse, S McGinty, Smyth, Patterson.

Subs: Johnston, Patton, Gallagher, C McGinty, O’Kane, Convie, Glenny.

Carrick Rangers: Hogg, Loughran, Chapman, Kelly, Gawne, Smith, Gordon, Cherry, Gibson, Anderson, Ramsey.

Subs: Connor Friel, Forsythe, Neale, Glendinning, Millar, McMullan, Cathair Friel.

referee: Chris Morrison.

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