NI Premiership Round-up - Week 10
Credit:
Ballinamallard United’s scintillating start to the season continued as they defeated Linfield 3-1 in Windsor Park on Saturday afternoon.
The result moves the Fermanagh side to third in the Danske Bank Irish Premiership, three points behind leaders Cliftonville who overcame Lisburn Distillery by two goals to one.
The Mallards stunned the champions by taking the lead through Ryan Campbell after only five minutes. United then had to endure some late first half pressure from the home side and were lucky not to concede an equaliser when Daryl Fordyce shot wide from close range with the goal at his mercy.
Brian McCaul pulled one back for Linfield before half-time but Whitey Anderson’s side’s willingness to maintain possession, even when deep in their own half, was in marked contrast to their host’s direct approach and caused the champions all kinds of problems on the break.
The expected second half onslaught from the Blues failed to materialise and Ballinamallard regained the lead ten minutes from time as Chris Curran calmly stroked the ball home after a typically swift counter attack from the away side.
Former Sligo Rovers midfielder Liam Martin ensured the points with an injury time strike to leave United’s healthy band of vocal supporters in raptures as they celebrated their most impressive result to date.
Cliftonville moved to outright lead in the division as two second half goals from Liam Boyce and Barry Holland were enough to give the Reds victory over Lisburn despite Gary Liggett’s late response for the home side.
The result leaves Distillery rooted to the bottom of league with only one win in ten games.
An injury time equaliser from Glenavon’s Andy McGrory denied Coleraine the chance of drawing level on points with Cliftonville when Curtis Allen’s 86th minute opener seemed to have sealed the points for the Bannsiders.
The Belfast derby went the way of Crusaders as two Jordan Owens goals saw off Glentoran who suffered their first defeat of the season and slipped back to fourth spot despite creating a host of chances in the second half.
Dungannon Swifts joint-manager Darren Murphy will consider his position over the weekend after his team were held to a draw by Donegal Celtic, who themselves are in search of a new manager following the departure of Stephen Small.
Things looked good for Dungannon when Stefan Lowry gave them the lead but Celtic bounced back before half time through Peter McCann before the game threatened to spiral out of control following ugly scenes when Matt Hazley was shown a straight red card for a rash challenge on McCann but the visitors held firm to secure a point.
Two first half goals by Darren Murray were not enough to give struggling Portadown victory over Ballymena United as Alan Teggart levelled with a 67th-minute penalty after the former Ports midfielder was fouled in the area.
The result leaves the Ronnie McFall’s men third from bottom with only two wins in their opening ten fixtures.
