Carrick Rangers delivered a commanding 4-0 victory away to Bangor on Saturday, with manager Stephen Baxter lauding the quality of his squad. The win solidifies a strong start to the Premiership season, leaving the Gers just one point off the top of the table.
What did Stephen Baxter say after the win?
Stephen Baxter was full of praise for his players in comments reported by the Newsletter. He specifically highlighted the impact of substitutes and the squad's overall depth. "This is the quality I feel of this team at the moment," Baxter told the club's media channel.
He pointed to Joe Crowe's late goal as a perfect example. "He steps in for the last 15 minutes and scores a worldie. He has that quality written all over him," Baxter said. The manager emphasized the need for everyone to be ready across a long season that includes cup competitions, calling his contributors "absolute star players."
How has Carrick Rangers started the season?
The team's form has been impressive, with three wins from their opening four league matches. Their only defeat came against high-flying Coleraine. This positive run continues momentum from last season, where a club-record points haul of 43 from 33 games secured a seventh-place finish.
With eight goals scored already, only Coleraine and Crusaders have found the net more often. Six of those goals have come in comprehensive away wins at Limavady United and now Bangor. The team's overall goal difference stands at minus two, having conceded 51 while scoring 49 across the previous campaign.
Where does this result leave Carrick in the table?
Saturday's three points mean Carrick Rangers sit second in the Premiership standings. They are currently one point behind leaders Coleraine. This represents a significant early position as they build on last term's progress, which saw them finish 30 points behind champions Larne.
You can track their league position throughout the season on our standings page. The next challenge is an away trip to face Portadown on December 19th. Portadown currently sit ninth, making it another important fixture in the early phase of the season.
What is the outlook for the squad?
Baxter's comments underline a squad confident in its abilities and depth. The early goals from Matthew Snoddy, Danny Gibson, Paul Heatley, and Joe Crowe against Bangor show multiple attacking threats. Baxter felt the result was coming after a fast start, noting they hit the woodwork twice early on.
Maintaining fitness and availability will be key over a 50-plus game schedule. The manager and his staff will be tasked with managing rotations, a process Baxter acknowledged is part of their job. Fans can follow the team's selections and player information on our squad page.
The immediate focus shifts to maintaining this form. With a solid defensive display adding to their free-scoring away performances, Carrick Rangers have set a high standard. Their next match against Portadown will be another test of their early-season credentials.
