Andy Ryan helps leaders Larne stay top in Premiership win over Cliftonville

​Andy Ryan inspired leaders Larne towards a two-goal win and three points away to third-place Cliftonville as the defending champions took another major step towards a successful title defence.
By Patrick Van Dort
Published 2nd Apr 2024, 21:57 BST
Updated 2nd Apr 2024, 21:58 BST
Andy Ryan puts Larne into a 2-0 lead over Cliftonville at Solitude as the Sports Direct Premiership leaders protected a position at the top of the table. (Photo by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)Andy Ryan puts Larne into a 2-0 lead over Cliftonville at Solitude as the Sports Direct Premiership leaders protected a position at the top of the table. (Photo by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)
Andy Ryan puts Larne into a 2-0 lead over Cliftonville at Solitude as the Sports Direct Premiership leaders protected a position at the top of the table. (Photo by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)

​Having had Irish Cup ambitions confirmed as over off a late goal last weekend against Cliftonville, Larne found the net within five minutes as an early boost in the 2-0 defeat of the same opposition.

Sports Direct Premiership league leaders Larne bounced back from Saturday’s last-four cup heartache exit by 2-0 to Cliftonville with a blistering start at Solitude in search of three points.

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Initial pressure produced a reward when Sean Graham’s in-swinging corner-kick from the right was flicked on by Ryan at the near post and Cliftonville’s Luke Kenny could only head over his own line in a last-gasp bid to clear the danger from a few yards out as the ball drifted towards the empty net.

The home response featured a driving run by the in-form Rory Hale from deep before the ball arrived for Shea Kearney to drive across a low cross which Rohan Ferguson was on hand to collect.

The strike partnership of Ryan and Lee Bonis, so key to Larne’s search for silverware, almost combined past the half-hour mark for a second goal by the visitors.

Ryan picked up possession on the left and whipped over a cross towards the back post which Bonis met on the run but he proved unable to direct on target from the promising position.

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The high stakes developed into high emotions over the closing moments of the first half following a challenge involving already-booked Chris Gallagher and Cliftonville’s Ronan Doherty. Referee Raymond Crangle took time for the multi-player scuffle to calm down before delivering bookings to Rory Hale and Cian Bolger.

The Hale brothers linked up to carve open the Larne backline on 55 minutes but Ferguson dropped low to deny Ronan off a sidefoot shot after Rory’s superb angled pass.

Within seconds, Larne had a chance to double the lead as Bonis refused to give up the chase and managed a delicate touch beyond the out-rushing David Odumosu but it drifted wide.

If Ryan’s claim to the first goal was the subject of debate, the game’s second offered little doubt. Ryan was rewarded for his persistence in chasing down a ball forward from deep by showing strength under pressure against Paddy Burns to eventually hook home with his left foot despite falling back off-balance.

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Cliftonville came close to cutting the gap but Ben Wilson’s flick was blocked by Ferguson’s out-stretched leg.

Leroy Millar hit the crossbar late on from a Bonis cross.

CLIFTONVILLE: Odumosu, Stewart, Addis, Kenny, C.Curran (Pepper, 84), Rr.Hale (Mallon, 70), Doherty (Lowe, 70), Burns, Rn.Hale (Graham, 84), Kearney, Wilson (Gormley, 70).

Subs (not used): Gartside, Yoro.

LARNE: Ferguson, Cosgrove, Williams, Bolger (Sloan, 74), Donnelly, Graham, Gallagher (Orozco, 61), Randall (Thomson, 46), Millar, Ryan (O’Neill, 83), Bonis.

Subs (not used): McAdams, Glynn, Westendorf.

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Related topics:CliftonvilleLarneLee Bonis