Mallards win at Solitude

Gareth Cauldwell • Published 8 Sep 2012 17:40

Cliftonville 0 Ballinamallard Utd 1

Jason McCartney struck in added on time to give Ballinamallard the points away to league leaders Cliftonville today.

The game appeared as if it was going to end in stalemate with the sides locked at 0-0 as the 90 minutes drew to a close but McCartney swooped for what would prove to be the winner in the 91st minute as the Mallards bounced back in the fine style from back to back defeats to Crusaders and Glentoran to record their second league victory of the season.

The opening period saw little goal-mouth action but it was the home side who were first to test the goalkeeper as Eamon Seydak's free kick took a deflection of Mark Stafford and Mallards net-minder Alvin Rouse did well to tip it on to the crossbar.

From the resulting corner Cliftonville again went close to opening the scoring as Stephen Garrett's header rattled the bar.

However, Ballinamallard showed they posed a threat of their own in the opening stages of the second half with Chris Curran's cracking drive from 30 yards looking bound for the back of the net only for Cliftonville goalkeeper Ryan Browne to tip it on to the bar.

Steve Feeney then slipped Ryan Campbell in one-on-one with the Cliftonville goalkeeper but Browne got a hand to the shot to push it on to the post.

The home side had a good chance to take the lead in the 62nd minute when Liam Boyce dispossessed Rouse, who dwelt too long on a back pass.  Boyce then found Garrett but he pushed his shot just past the post.

The Mallards were looking dangerous on the break with Andy Crawford and Jason McCartney both coming on midway through the second half although Cliftonville's Jamie McGovern headed over the bar as the home side continued to pose a threat.

The winner though was to arrive in the 91st minute as Liam Martin cut into the box from the left before dragging the ball back to McCartney who dispatched his shot to the back of the net via the post to secure a superb victory .

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This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 08 Sep 12

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