Early signs good for Rosemount, says boss Cathcart, after derby rout of Ards Rangers

Premier Division new boys make a statement with 6-2 win in first home game of the season

Rosemount's Curtis Houston is crowded out by Jamie Patterson and Gary Watson. Pics by Ralph McCullough

Neill Melville wraps up the scoring with Rosemount's sixth on 90 minutes

Rosemount boss Lee Cathcart

LEE Cathcart admits he likes what he sees so far from his promoted Rosemount in their maiden campaign in the Amateur League’s top flight.

The Greyabbey men stuffed Ards Rangers 6-2 on Tuesday night to make it three wins from four in the opening fortnight, including Saturday’s Irish Cup win over Brantwood – their only loss coming on the first day on the road at East Belfast, a game in which the Rosemount chief reckons his side had enough chances to win several games.

But that profligacy in front of goal aside, he says he can have few complaints about how they’ve acquitted themselves in the Premier Division.

Down the years, Rosemount have been sluggish out of the blocks, with the unavailability of players at this stage of the season leaving them under-strength and below par.

But Cathcart was eager to make sure that didn’t happen this season, bringing in some quality additions to swell the ranks of an already talented squad, with former Ards Rangers skipper Ryan Newberry – who scored against his old club midweek – Beau Tosh, Billy Haddock, Curtis Houston and Andrew Dummigan coming aboard, most of whom have played in the top flight before.

Neill Melville wraps up the scoring with Rosemount's sixth on 90 minutes

Rosemount’s start stands in contrast to that of Dromara Village, who romped 1A ahead of them last year with just one defeat all season. Peter Turley’s men have marked their first return to top tier football in nine years with two