Cliftonville 0-1 Linfield

PRESSEYE
Author: Alex KeeryPublished 7th Sep 2019

Linfield edged out Cliftonville by a single goal in a fiesty Belfast derby in the Danske Bank Premiership.

A tense first half at Solitude saw both sides struggle to gain control, and neither was able to find any rhythm.

Chances were sparse, with the best opportunity of the half being created by the home side.

In the 32nd minute, Conor McMenamin looked certain to score after being played in by Chris Curran, but he steered a low shot just inches wide of the bottom corner.

The second half picked up as the first had left off, with little to separate the two sides.

However, Linfield managed to win a succession of corners, and eventually made one count.

In the 57th minute, Kirk Millar whipped in a delivery from the left, and Jimmy Callacher got in front of his marker to glance a header beyond Richard Brush to give the Blues the lead.

10 minutes later, Cliftonville went close when Donnelly volleyed over from the edge of the box, before Ryan Curran spurned a superb chance.

It was created in the 69th minute by Chris Curran who drove down the right before pulling it back to his unmarked namesake who scuffed a poor effort into the arms of the keeper from 6 yards.

Cliftonville rallied and increased the pressure, but some spirited Linfield defending saw them hold on for the points.