Soccer

Irish League Review: Crusaders hit five as they stay five clear

DANSKE BANK PREMIERSHIP: Ballymena United 4 Glentoran 1; Carrick Rangers 0 Dungannon Swifts 2; Coleraine 2 Glenavon 2; Crusaders 5 Ballinamallard United 1; Linfield 4 Ards 0; Portadown 0 Cliftonville 3.

A five goal thriller as Ballymena added more misery to a struggling Glentoran side, David Jeffrey's side easing to a 4-1 win. The Sky Blues remaining third in the table.

Things started well for the Glens, leading 1-0 through Curtis Allen (Allen's 50th goal for the club) just 15 minutes in.

Glentoran's nice build up play was rewarded when Curtis Allen's low strike found it's way past Blayney.

Seemingly a lack of fitness has been costly for Glentoran this season, and after leading 1-0 at half time but losing 4-1, today's result would suggest just that.

Cathair Friel's effort rebounded off the post and Allan Jenkins was on hand to follow in the rebound, equalizing on the 51st minute.

Friel was involved again for Ballymena's second, when he picked out William Faulkner who headed past Elliot Morris for 2-1.

Glentoran were seemingly ready to fight back, with three corners in quick succession cleared by Ballymena.

Though it wasn't to be, as things went from bad to worse for Glentoran and caretaker manager Roy Coyle.

Aaron Harmon committing a foul that would reward Ballymena in a penalty, which Tony Kane converted for 3-1.

The Glens paid the penalty again, as a Marcus Kane handball gifted another spot kick for Tony Kane, now 4-1 with Kane's two goals coming on the 87th and 88th minute.

Glentoran striker Curtis Allen at full-tim. Photo: Pacemaker
Glentoran striker Curtis Allen at full-tim. Photo: Pacemaker Glentoran striker Curtis Allen at full-tim. Photo: Pacemaker

Dungannon are back to winning ways after winning 2-0 against Carrick Rangers;  who lost their seventh game of the season, with no goals since late August and not winning a game since 13 August.

Kieran Harding resigned as Carrick manager following the result.

Seemingly difficult days for Carrick Rangers as Dungannon slide up the table.

With 68 minutes on the clock, substitute Stefan Lavery made an instant impact at Taylor Avenue to put the Swifts 1-0 up, he headed in from O'Rouke's cross.

The second came less than ten minutes later, with Andrew Mitchell finding space and slotting past Brian 'Bam' Neeson.

Mitchell was on target again in stoppage time. With three points virtually guaranteed, the striker was relentless and found the back of the net to send the East Antrim men home empty handed.

Glenavon were held to a draw by a resilient Coleraine side.

Gary Hamilton may feel disheartened with a point today, as his side conceded two goals in the last five minutes.

Eoin Bradley, as deadly as ever in front of goal scored his third league goal of the season with a header, helped in by the underside of the crossbar from Andy Hall's cross at 34 minutes.

Kevin Branniff pointing towards travelling Glenavon fans. Photo: Pacemaker
Kevin Branniff pointing towards travelling Glenavon fans. Photo: Pacemaker Kevin Branniff pointing towards travelling Glenavon fans. Photo: Pacemaker

Glenavon's lead was to be doubled in the second half, Andy Hall with another assist; this time pulling it back to Kevin Branniff who found himself in space to stroke home for 2-0.

The Bannsiders got one back, substitute Jamie McGonigle netting after Darren McCauley pulled it back to him.

85 minutes gone at this point, with all to play for.

McGonigle, involved again as his cross across the goalmouth was met by Jordan Allen.

The on-loan Derry City player scored with two minutes left of play, and salvaged a point for Oran Kearney's side.

Linfield has the job done early, dominating the first half and finding themselves 3-0 in half an hour over high-flying Championship winners Ards.

The Blues maybe could have had more in the first half.

Aaron Burns left footed effort found the net, giving Linfield an early lead: just eight minutes played at Windsor Park.

After assisting Aaron Burns, Stephen Lowry made it 2-0 just three minutes later. It was no surprise the quick feet of winger Paul Smyth found space down the right for Linfield, his low cross into the box was found by Lowry. He showed composure skipping past Ards' defenders in the box before drilling low and hard past goalkeeper Aaron Hogg.

The Blues showed no mercy for Ards, as Kirk Miller got the third on the 33rd minute.

David Healy's men are still nipping at the heels of Crusaders, five points behind with a game in hand.

The fourth came around the hour mark, when Emmett Friars was the unfortunate soul to slice the ball past his own keeper.

Ards started the season happily, but have lost four of their last five; three of them to the top three sides of last season however.

Linfield boss David Healy remain unbeaten. Photo: Pacemaker
Linfield boss David Healy remain unbeaten. Photo: Pacemaker Linfield boss David Healy remain unbeaten. Photo: Pacemaker

Crusaders remain top with their ninth game unbeaten this season, The Hatchetmen are still five clear at the Danske Bank Prmiership following victory over Ballinamallard United at Seaview.

Paul Heatley continued his fine form, opening the scoring from a Gavin Whyte cross. It took just a quarter of an hour to break the deadlock, but the Mallard's fought back to equalise just over ten minutes later, when Ryan Mayse finished well to claw it back to one each.

However, it didn't last long as Jordan Owens scored with a header; after Billy Jo Burns executed a inch-perfect cross to put them back ahead.

Craig McClean's was Crusaders man of the match today, the defender scored a nodded in from a corner and virtually sealed victory at 3-1 with 55 minutes on the clock.

It was no surprise Stephen Baxter's Crusaders side went on to grab another two, Gavin Whyte adding his name to the score sheet.

Whyte scored Crusaders' fourth of the day, and his fourth for the season.

His second came when his timely run was met by a nicely lobbed pass, the 20-year old went through to chip the onrushing goalkeeper.

The on-form champions return to action on October 1st, hosting north Belfast rivals Cliftonville at Seaview.

Cliftonville were dominant of Portadown, taking all three points at Shamrock Park.

Cliftonville's Stephen Garrett unleashing an unstoppable strike to put Cliftonville 3-0 up. Photo: Pacemaker
Cliftonville's Stephen Garrett unleashing an unstoppable strike to put Cliftonville 3-0 up. Photo: Pacemaker Cliftonville's Stephen Garrett unleashing an unstoppable strike to put Cliftonville 3-0 up. Photo: Pacemaker

Cliftonville's quick counter attacking football almost paid off as Tomas Cosgrove picked up the ball with space ahead, his cross was found by Daniel Hughes, his denied shot fell to Jay Donnelly who could only find the side netting.

The Red's first goal coming from the unlikely source of Jason McGuiness. The skipper blocked header fell to his feet, where he unleashed a left footed strike into the top corner from close range.

It was more nice football from the Solitude Reds as Marty Donnelly played through Davy McDaid; Jude Winchester picked up possession after a defensive mishap which Portadown failed to clear, Wincherster played in substitute McDaid, who maid no mistake from close range on the 75th minute.

It was smart play again from Donnelly and Winchester, their neat play saw a one-two cut open the Ports' defence but he was denied by goalkeeper McGaughey.

With the rain how thundering down, another substitute in the form of Stephen Garrett strutted into the box and rocketed into the top right corner for 3-0.

The Reds progress to fourth in the league, four points behind Ballymena with a game in hand.

Portadown lost their third consecutive home game in league and cup, leaving Portadown to wonder what might have been if one of their first half chances had found the net.