Cliftonville 3

Ballinamallard Utd 1

 

Ballinamallard remain ninth in the league table after going down 3-1 to Cliftonville at Solitude. The Mallards missed a first half penalty before Cliftonville hit back with three goals at the start of the second half to claim all three points, with a McKenna consolation goal all the away side had to show for their efforts.

James McKenna made his first start of the season in midfield, with Jason McCartney and Shane McCabe both unavailable. Steve Feeney dropped to the substitute’s bench and Michael McCrudden came back in the side as Whitey Anderson shuffled his pack in a bid to return to winning ways.

Cliftonville went into the match on an 11 game unbeaten run but it was the visitors that went straight on the attack with Ryan Campbell, restored to the striker’s role, dragging a shot wide from twenty yards. Ballinamallard had a great chance to take the lead after fourteen minutes when Liam Martin was brought down by Jaimie McGovern and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. In the absence of regular penalty taker Jason McCartney, Martin picked himself up to take the spot kick but his weak shot was saved.

As the half progressed Cliftonville started to gain the upper hand but the Mallards were working hard to keep the in-form home team at bay. Rouse palmed a corner into the path of former Mallard Chris Curran but he lifted his volley over the bar, while at the other end a jinking run from Lecky almost created an opening but his pass was too strong for Campbell. As the first half drew to a close Cliftonville created a great chance for Winchester at the back post, but he opted to take a touch and Beacom was able to get back and block the shot.

It took a large slice of good fortune for Cliftonville to take the lead. Chris Curran twisted and turned on the edge of the penalty area but his shot looked to pose little danger before it took a huge deflection off Colm McLaughlin to wrong foot Rouse.

Five minutes later McDaid controlled a cross and stroked past Rouse from twelve yards, and the striker added his second and his team’s third when he got the better of Emmett Friars and fired across the keeper into the far corner.

With twenty minutes remaining Ballinamallard pulled a goal back when James McKenna headed in a Liam Martin free kick, but it proved to be merely a consolation as Cliftonville held on to take all three points.