NI Premiership Round-up - Week 19
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Two goals from Joe Gormley helped Cliftonville to a 3-1 victory over Coleraine and restored the Reds seven point lead at the top of the Danske Irish Premiership.
Cork City’s Setanta Cup opponents started the game brightly and were a goal to the good after only six minutes when Liam Boyce latched on to a through ball from Ryan Catney before expertly rounding the keeper and slotting home to the delight of the home crowd.
Gormley made it 2-0 on nineteen minutes when his shot looped into the net, with the aid of a deflection, after good work on the right by Stephen Garrett to underline the hosts early advantage.
Coleraine, who journey to play Shamrock Rovers in the first round of the Setanta Cup, refused to buckle and went on to dominate the rest of the half, pulling a goal back before the break through the lively Curtis Allen.
The former Linfield man was on hand to fire home after Stephen Lowry dispossessed Thomas Cosgrove and fed David Scullion who in turn picked out Allen and he turned the ball home to give the Bannsiders a deserved foothold in the game.
The visitors three man midfield was firmly on top and they pressed hard for the equaliser with Catney and newly awarded player of the month, James Knowles, in danger of being over run in the middle of the park.
Tommy Breslin resisted the urge to tinker with his 4-4-2 formation when Boyce had to leave the field with a knock with a like for like replacement in Diarmuid O’Carroll just before the break.
The Kerry native has seen his chances limited due to the prolific partnership formed between Boyce and Gormley and he had only scraps to feed off as Coleraine continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession as play resumed in the second half.
The introduction of Barry Johnston for Knowles on 59 minutes gained the home side a semblance of parity in the middle third and Breslin’s decision to keep faith with two strikers was justified when Gormley latched on to O’Caroll’s flick in the 71st minute and he kept his cool to give Cliftonville an unassailable 3-1 lead.
Gormley’s goals were the North Belfast’s sides 49th and 50th of the league campaign so far, pushing their goals for column to sixteen ahead of their nearest challengers, Crusaders.
Crusaders made the trip across town to Glentoran on the back of three consecutive wins but were thankful for a late Colin Coates equaliser to salvage a point against St Pat’s first round Setanta opposition.
Both sides squandered first half opportunities before David Howland gave the hosts the lead and it looked like Glens would take all three points before Coates made a timely captains intervention, volleying home with only five minutes remaining.
Michael Carvill’s two goals meant that Linfield are now unbeaten in four league games and contributed to the Champions 3-1 win over Ballinamallard United at a packed Ferney Park.
The Mallards were unlucky not to take the lead when former Sligo Rovers defender Danny Keohane hit the post with a snap shot early on, but Michael Gault put the Blues ahead on 40 minutes with a thumping header.
Andy Crawford drew the game level on the stroke of half time when he finished off a well worked Ballinamallard move but two second half goals from Carvill, the second a stunning volley, gave David Jeffrey’s men a much needed and deserved win.
Portadown are up to seventh as Kevin Braniff scored twice for the second game in succession and provide his manager with a timely reminder of his talents as Gary Twigg will shortly be available for selection after his move from Shamrock Rovers.
Ronnie McFall’s men, who will play Drogheda United after Thursday’s Setanta Cup draw, needed to come from behind to win at Ballymena who took the lead through a Chris Rodgers header on eight minutes.
Braniff then struck twice in the second half to give Portadown only their second away win of the season and meant a fourth successive Premiership reverse for recent County Antrim Shield winners Ballymena.
Elsewhere Dungannon easily accounted for Donegal Celtic 3-0 while Lisburn Distillery remain bottom after their 4-1 defeat at the hands of Glenavon.
