FOLLOWING a jittery start to the season, Douglas Royal got their promotion ambitions back on track with a 5-1 win over Pulrose at Ballafletcher in JCK Division Two on Saturday.
However, it wasn’t the plain sailing the scoreline suggests. When Royal entered the second half with a two-goal advantage, Pulrose pulled a goal back and the force was with the visitors past the midway stage of the second half.
But Richard Winn completed his hat-trick (one for the dubious goals panel, although there were claims it was an own goal) and two more quickfire goals from the hosts ended this match as a contest.
Royal’s squad has been blighted with injuries and has been stretched on occasion with a number a players out of position so they will reflect on three well-earned points. From the opening whistle, Pulrose were keen to make an early impressive on the match, snapping away at the Royal heels and asking questions of the Whites defence.
However, when Royal opened the scoring on 14 minutes the first half belonged to Messrs Gerrard and Smith’s side. Paul Whitley raced along the right flank and his precise cross was met by Winn who planted a header into the back of the Pully net.
Chances continued to fall Royal’s way and they doubled their lead when the same two players combined to good effect again. Whitley seized on a loose clearance and his cross deflected off a Pulrose head into Winn’s path who drilled home their second.
Whatever Pully manager Kevin Cowin said at half-time, they looked a galvanised side. Inspired by the wing play of Kenny Cowin on the left, his cross was met by Barry English who drove a shot against the woodwork.
The visitors hinted at a comeback and reduced the deficit on 55 minutes when Aaron Raby’s corner made its way to Craig Cowin who shot was tapped in by substitute Joe Rees with his first touch from close range.
However, any hopes of a fightback were ended when Royal netted three quickfire goals in the last quarter of an hour. Firstly, Ryan Kelly’s cross from the right was met by Winn’s header which spun over the opposing net-minder and into the net, despite the best efforts of a sliding clearance from a Pulrose player.
Three became four when a corner was only half-cleared and, at the second attempt, Whitley was lurking in the six-yard box to nod home.
It was soon game over with a fifth goal in the closing stages following a neat inter-change of passes involving Winn and Matthew Enwistle who set up Andrew Lancaster to drive a shot into the top left and complete the scoring.
TEAM CHECK
Douglas Royal: Paddy Dempsey, Stuart Foley (Dan Beattie 85m), Adam Pate (Adam Boyde 20m), Richie McCann, Kevin Ballard, Nick Ford (Andrew Lancaster 75m), Gavin Gawne, Paul Whitley, Ryan Kelly, Richard Winn
Pulrose United: John Stephens, Joe Joyce (Paul Kelch 83m), Tony Joughin, John Paul Glover, Craig Cowin, Ben Cowin, Aaron Raby, David Hardinge, Matthew Cowin (Joe Rees 55m), Barry English, Kenny Cowin
Referee: Colin Coole
Bookings: M. Cowin, Rees (Pulrose Utd)
Man of the Match: Winn (Royal)
Match rating: HHHII