CRUSADERS 3 CLIFTONVILLE 1
Ciftonville were knocked off the top spot in the Danske Bank Premiership on Saturday.
A 3-1 defeat to derby rivals Crusaders - coupled with Ballinamallard United’s win against Coleraine - saw the Reds being usurped by the Fermanagh minnows.
Crusaders broke the deadlock in the 19th minute - Paul Heatley’s corner was finished off by Timmy Adamson at the back post.
It was 2-0 two minutes before the break with Jordan Owens doubling Crusaders’advantage.
Declan Caddell sent Heatley down the left flank, and the winger delivered a superb cross than Owens side-footed into the roof of the net from five yards.
The game was all but over in the 57th minute with Gary McCutcheon getting in on the act to make it 3-0.
Craig McClean’s cross was headed down by Adamson and McCutcheon finished off with a low shot from seven yards.
Cliftonville restored some pride in the 85th minute with Liam Boyce’s close-range finish, but it was a mere consolation.
Crusaders: O’Neill, McKeown, Magowan, Adamson, Robinson, Caddell, McCutcheon (Gibson 90), McClean, Owens (Rainey 95), Snoddy, Heatley (McMaster 63)
Subs not used: McBride, Leeman, Rainey.
Cliftonville: Devkin, McGovern, Scannell, Johnston, Holland, Garrett (Lynch 76), Donnelly (Cadlwell 59), Catney (Knowles 32), Gormley, Cosgrove, Boyce.
Subs not used: McMullan, M Smyth.
Referee: Mark Coutney (Dungannon)
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