DANSKE BANK PREMIERSHIP: David McAlinden frustrated by game of two halves

As cliches go '˜a game of two halves' is one which is often rolled out by managers.
Carrick Rangers manager David McAlinden. ©INPHO/Matt MackeyCarrick Rangers manager David McAlinden. ©INPHO/Matt Mackey
Carrick Rangers manager David McAlinden. ©INPHO/Matt Mackey

But for Carrick Rangers boss David McAlinden there was no other way to describe his side’s 1-0 defeat by Cliftonville on Saturday.

The Reds had the better of the first half in testing conditions at the Belfast Loughshore Hotel Arena, with the hosts responding well after the break.

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But they could not find an equaliser much to McAlinden’s disappointment.

“I’m not really in to cliches but it probably was a game of two halves today,” he said afterwards.

“The wind was that strong against us in the first half we really had to dig in.

“We presented them with an opportunity in the first half, which was silly on our behalf, and they duly took it.

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“Unfortunately even though we had wind in our favour in the second half, we couldn’t take advantage of it.

“We were more than in the game though for large periods of the second half but a chance just wouldn’t fall for us.

“On days like today you just need that one chance to fall for you, but it just wasn’t to be, today wasn’t our day, which is unfortunate for us.”