IRISH LEAGUE FULL-TIME VERDICT: Everything you need to know from Carrick Rangers 1 Cliftonville 3
Cliftonville had away day joy at Carrick Rangers as the Reds picked up a 3-1 victory at Taylors Avenue.
TOP RATED
CARRICK RANGERS: Daniel Gibson was a willing runner as always for the Amber Army as he attempted to provide an attacking threat for the hosts. His endeavour to run the channels was clear for everyone to see, although I’m sure he would have liked to have had more opportunities to score.
CLIFTONVILLE: Ben Quinn has certainly hit the ground running since his summer switch to Solitude. The winger provided the assist for Kyle McClelland’s equaliser and then got on the scoresheet himself with a fine finish after his run was picked out by Liam McStravick. He was subbed on the hour mark ahead of a busy schedule over the next seven days.
BIG MOMENT
Cliftonville’s second goal at Taylors Avenue was a touch of class as Liam McStravick had the vision to release Ben Quinn inside the box. He still had a lot to do as his shot from a tight angle proved too hot to handle for Nathan Gartside as the ball rippled the net. It has to be said Dean McMaster’s stunning free-kick which ensured all three points is a close second.
MATCH STATS
6: YELLOW – (Cliftonville) Samuels
11: GOAL – (Carrick Rangers) Hawthorne
The Amber Army take the lead as Caleb Hawthorne is alive to convert from close range after Aidan Steele’s shot comes back off the crossbar.
15: GOAL – (Cliftonville) McClelland
A quick equaliser for the visitors as Ben Quinn’s dangerous deliver is converted by Kyle McClelland.
35: GOAL – (Cliftonville) Quinn
The Reds turn a losing position into a winning one as Liam McStravick’s pass is on the money for Quinn to score from an acute angle.
H-T: Carrick Rangers 1 Cliftonville 2
62: SUB – (Carrick Rangers) Lecky replaces O’Connor
64: SUB – (Cliftonville) Leppard, Conlan and Gormley replace Samuels, Quinn and McStravick
70: YELLOW – (Carrick Rangers) Forsythe
75: SUB – (Carrick Rangers) Hastings replaces Maciulaitis
75: SUBS – (Cliftonville) Thompson and Campbell replace Healy and Sheridan
84: SUB – (Carrick Rangers) Moore replaces Hawthorne
90: YELLOW – (Carrick Rangers) Cherry
90: GOAL – (Cliftonville) McMaster
Oh, wow. A stunning free-kick from 25 yards by Dean McMaster seals the victory for Cliftonville.
F-T: Carrick Rangers 1 Cliftonville 3
CARRICK RANGERS: Gartside, Nelson, Forsythe, O’Connor (Lecky, 62), Gibson, Maciulaitis (Hastings, 75), Steele, Buchanan-Rolleston, Crowe, Cherry, Hawthorne (Moore, 84).
Subs Not Used: Agnew (GK), Moore, Crown, Connelly, Carlisle.
CLIFTONVILLE: Morrison, Samuels (Leppard, 64 mins), O’Connor, Hale, Healy (Campbell, 75) McClelland, McMaster, Quinn (Conlan, 64), Bannon, McStravick (Gormley, 64), Sheridan (Thompson, 75).
Subs Not Used: Cremen-Cowan (GK), Hawthorne.
Referee: Declan Hassan
TALKING POINTS
Carrick Rangers went into the contest down to the bare bones after losing Paul Heatley and Jimmy Callacher to suspension after being sent-off last weekend, whilst BJ Burns, Matthew Snoddy and Luke McCullough were all absent after being injured from the loss at Linfield. It limited Stephen Baxter’s options but he will be happy with how his side performed despite his limited numbers.
The Amber Army will feel they should have left with a share of the spoils after Jordan Forsythe and Aidan Steele both spurned big chances to equalise as Cliftonville left with the spoils.
It makes it two successive wins for Cliftonville as they have turned the tide after back-to-back defeats to Linfield and Dungannon. Boss Jim Magilton will be pleased with how the Reds managed to see the game out despite late pressure from the hosts – before Dean McMaster’s late magic.
SPECIAL MENTION
CARRICK RANGERS: A special moment for Caleb Hawthorne as he managed to grab his first Premiership goal. He followed up well to score after Aidan Steele’s initial effort came back off the crossbar.
CLIFTONVILLE: Going away to Carrick Rangers is always a difficult assignment with Daniel Gibson leading the attack and then Adam Lecky being used from the bench. Not only did he grab a goal but Kyle McClelland put in an assured performance at the back as the Reds managed to see the game out for a precious win on the road.