Portavogie Rangers II suffered a 4–0 defeat against Civil Service II at the Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, with four goals during a 15-minute second-half spell deciding the NAFL Division 3E contest.
Rangers travelled to Belfast looking to respond following their opening league defeat away to 4th Newtownabbey OB II.
There were four changes to the starting side. Charlie Rogers, Bailey Adair, Sam McCormick and Jonah Whiteside came in for Luke McCormick, Luke Anderson, Lewis Warnock and Jayden Cully.
Cody McCormick started in goal, with Mike Adair captaining the team.
The visitors were required to make an early change when Jayden Cully replaced Sam McCormick after 15 minutes.
Despite that disruption, Portavogie remained organised and competitive throughout the opening half.
Mike Adair led the defence alongside Charlie Rogers, while Scott Fitzpatrick and Bailey Adair worked hard to limit the space available to the Civil Service attack.
Robbie Palmer and Thomas Rotherham competed in midfield as Rangers attempted to establish themselves in the contest, with James Palmer, Jonah Whiteside and Aldas Daugela providing further support.
Neither side could find a breakthrough before the interval, and Rangers went into the dressing room level at 0–0 after a disciplined first-half performance.
The match changed quickly following the restart.
Civil Service opened the scoring on 55 minutes through Cameron Moss, breaking the resistance Portavogie had shown throughout the opening period.
The home side doubled their advantage six minutes later when Tyler Dunlop found the net.
Carter Coffey replaced Charlie Rogers immediately after the second goal as Rangers looked to reorganise and find a route back into the game.
Joel Smyth was then introduced for Jayden Cully on 66 minutes, with Cully having played more than 50 minutes after entering during the early stages.
Civil Service continued to carry the greater threat and added their third goal on 68 minutes.
Moss was again the scorer, completing his double and leaving Portavogie with a difficult task during the closing stages.
Two minutes later, Civil Service captain Bradley Boyd scored the home side’s fourth goal to complete a decisive spell in which the contest moved firmly beyond Rangers.
To their credit, the visitors continued working until the final whistle and prevented any further addition to the scoreline.
Bailey Adair maintained his effort and commitment throughout a challenging afternoon, earning the Portavogie Rangers Man of the Match award.
The final result was a disappointing one for Rangers, particularly after a competitive opening 45 minutes in which they prevented Civil Service from finding a way through.
However, the Seconds will look to take encouragement from that first-half display as they prepare to turn their attention towards knockout football.
Portavogie Rangers II travel to face Ballysillan Swifts II in the ToalsBet Junior Shield next Saturday.
Civil Service II 4–0 Portavogie Rangers II
Match-day sponsor: The Palmer Family, In Memory of Jimmy Palmer
Man of the Match: Bailey Adair
Line-up: 1 Cody McCormick, 2 Scott Fitzpatrick, 3 Charlie Rogers, 4 Mike Adair (c), 6 Bailey Adair, 8 Robbie Palmer, 9 Samuel McCormick, 10 Thomas Rotherham, 11 James Ronnie Thomas Palmer, 14 Jonah Whiteside, 17 Aldas Daugela.
Subs used: 16 Jayden Cully (for Samuel McCormick 15’), 15 Carter Coffey (for Charlie Rogers 61’), 12 Joel Smyth (for Jayden Cully 66’).
