McKee and Cully on target as Rangers take the points at Davidson Park.
Portavogie Rangers secured a deserved 2–0 victory over Ballywalter Rec at Davidson Park on Thursday evening, with second-half goals from Alfie McKee and Jay Cully sealing the points.
Rangers started brightly and enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening stages, looking to move the ball quickly and make use of the width of the pitch.
The visitors enjoyed a good spell of pressure as the half developed, regularly getting into promising areas and asking questions of the Ballywalter defence. The home side remained well organised, however, and clear-cut chances were difficult to come by.
Rangers were forced into an early change when Will Moore was replaced by Jack Emerson after 25 minutes, but the disruption did little to alter the flow of the game as Portavogie continued to see the majority of the ball.
There were a number of encouraging moments in the final third, with Rangers looking dangerous from wide areas and set-piece situations, but Ballywalter held firm and the sides went into the interval level at 0–0.
Alfie McKee was introduced at half-time in place of Alex McMaster, and the change would prove to be an important one.
Rangers came out for the second half with renewed purpose and increased the tempo as they went in search of the breakthrough.
That pressure finally paid off in the 63rd minute when McKee made his impact from the bench, finding the net to give Rangers a deserved 1–0 lead.
The goal gave Portavogie further confidence and, rather than sitting back on their advantage, Rangers continued to push forward in search of a second.
Robbie Adair was introduced for Reece Cully on 71 minutes before Rangers doubled their lead five minutes later.
Jay Cully was the man on target, striking in the 76th minute to put Portavogie 2–0 ahead and give Rangers some valuable breathing space heading into the closing stages.
From there, Rangers managed the game well.
Ballywalter continued to search for a route back into the contest, but Portavogie remained disciplined and organised at the back, dealing with the home side's attacks and protecting the clean sheet.
Rangers continued to offer a threat on the break and saw out the remainder of the game professionally to secure a well-earned away victory.
It was a patient and composed performance from Portavogie, with the work done in the opening 45 minutes providing the platform for a more clinical second-half display.
McKee's introduction proved decisive as he grabbed the opener, before Cully made sure of the points with Rangers' second.
A clean sheet at the other end rounded off a strong night's work for Portavogie at Davidson Park.
Ballywalter Rec. 0–2 Portavogie Rangers
Rangers scorers: Alfie McKee 63', Jay Cully 76'
Man of the Match: Dylan Carlisle
Bookings: Jude Carlisle 10', Jake Sloan 22'
Line-up: 1 Harry Wallace, 2 William Moore, 3 Jay Cully, 4 Thomas Curry, 5 Jake Sloan, 6 Dylan Carlisle (c), 7 Alex McMaster, 8 David Rutherford, 10 Jude Carlisle, 11 Matthew Moore, 16 Reece Cully. Subs: 9 Alfie McKee, 12 Jack Emerson, 14 Robbie Adair.
