Cliftonville prove too strong for Coleraine

It was an historic day at the Showgrounds for Cliftonville, as they secured their first win in two seasons at the Ballycastle Road.

A spectacular free kick from Levi Ives and a Rory Donnelly header was enough for Barry Gray’s men to secure victory.

The home side started the brighter and could have gone ahead in the opening five minutes from a corner.

Darren McCauley’s in-swinging corner was flicked towards goal by Jamie McGonigle but his header was cleared from the line by Thomas Maguire.

Cliftonville grabbed the lead in 10 minutes via Levi Ives who bagged his third goal in as many games.

Chris Curran was adjudged to have been fouled outside the area and from the resulting set piece, Ives curled the ball into the net from 20 yards.

The Bannsiders responded and could have equalised almost immediately but McGonigle blazed over from inside the area.

Barry Gray’s men almost doubled their lead in spectacular fashion on 17 minutes. Joe Gormley was given time and space outside the area but his rasping effort came crashing off the crossbar.

Moments later, Cliftonville did extend their advantage as Rory Donnelly climbed highest to nod home Chris Curran’s corner.

The Bannsider rallied and reduced the deficit before half time. Stephen O’Donnell’s long ball found McGonigle who beat his man before dashing into the penalty area creating an opening for Darren McCauley who converted from close range.

At the break Cliftonville deserved their lead in what was a highly entertaining game at the Showgrounds.

It was an aggressive start to the second half however neither side fashioned a meaningful opportunity.

Darren McCauley forced Richard Brush into action on the hour mark as Coleraine searched for an equaliser. Rodney McAree’s men looked to have levelled almost instantly but Gary Breen was on hand to clear Aaron Burns’ header off the line.

The Bannsiders threatened on 76 minutes as McGonigle went through on goal but his timid effort was easily gathered by Richard Brush in the Cliftonville goal. Immediately, the Reds turned defence into attack as Brush’s long ball bounced over the head of Stephen O’Donnell leaving Gormley bearing down on goal. The striker opted to lift the ball over the head of the advancing Johns but his effort went narrowly wide.

Gormley was ever threatening for Barry Gray’s side and almost grabbed a third for the Reds. After picking the ball up outside the box the forward drilled his effort towards goal but Chris Johns gathered well.

Cliftonville went in search of a third and a neat counter attacking move warranted a chance for Ryan Curran but the striker lofted his effort high over the crossbar.

Second half substitute Eoin Bradley looked to have levelled for the home side. He latched onto Aaron Canning’s through ball before poking his effort wide of the far post.

Cliftonville absorbed the pressure in the second half to secure victory securing Barry Gray’s men’s first victory over the Bannsiders in 6 games.

COLERAINE FC: Johns, Mullan (Gawne ‘85), Harkin (Bradley ‘62), McCauley, Lowry, Carson, McConaghie, O’Donnell (c), McGonigle, Canning

SUBS NOT USED: Doherty, Douglas, Crown, Gawne, Owens, Whiteside

CLIFTONVILLE FC: Brush, McGovern, Ives, Breen, C. Curran (c), R. Curran, R. Donnelly (McConnell ‘89), Catney, Gormley, Maguire (Garrett ‘67), Lavery

SUBS NOT USED: Neeson, J. Donnelly, McMenamin, A. Donnelly, McNulty

Referee: Lee Tavinde