Another weekend of Premiership action brought plenty of talking points, with Coleraine staying at the top of the table in emphatic fashion, Dungannon Swifts extending their winning run and Cliftonville getting back to winning ways.
There was also a first league point of the season for Bangor after a dramatic comeback, while Linfield continued their excellent run of form with a fourth consecutive league victory.
Larne 2-1 Glentoran (Friday)
Larne secured their first Premiership victory of the campaign with a 2-1 success over Glentoran at Inver Park.
After a goalless first half, Sean Graham broke the deadlock six minutes after the restart, bursting through the Glentoran defence before confidently finishing beyond Billy Crellin.
Larne doubled their advantage on 72 minutes when Paul O’Neill seized upon a loose ball and played in Matthew Lusty, who produced a clinical angled finish. Glentoran were handed a lifeline late on when Dan Bent was penalised for a challenge on Jordan Stewart, with Aaron McEneff converting from the spot. The visitors pushed for an equaliser, but Larne held firm.
Bangor 2-2 Ballymena United
Bangor came from two goals down to earn their first league point of the season in a dramatic draw at Clandeboye Park.
Ballymena dominated the opening period and went ahead through Josh Archer after Chris McKee’s cross was not cleared. Matthew Clarke then doubled the visitors’ advantage with the final touch from another dangerous McKee delivery.
The Seasiders responded strongly after the break. Lewis Francis pulled one back on 55 minutes before substitute Tiarnan Mulvenna completed the comeback in the 89th minute, firing home after another Reece Neale long throw caused confusion. Ballymena almost snatched all three points late on, but Success Edogun’s effort landed on the roof of the net.
Cliftonville 3-1 Portadown
Cliftonville returned to winning ways with a convincing 3-1 victory over Portadown at Solitude.
Brian Healy opened the scoring after being released by a superb Dean McMaster pass, before Ben Quinn doubled the advantage with a powerful header from Healy’s delivery.
Healy completed his double shortly after half-time, cutting inside before curling an excellent finish into the far corner. Portadown pulled one back through Eamon Fyfe, who finally got his reward after being denied by PJ Morrison on several occasions. The visitors hit the post late on, but Cliftonville remained composed to see out the win.
Limavady United 0-2 Dungannon Swifts
Dungannon Swifts made it four league wins in five games with a 2-0 victory over Limavady United at the Showgrounds.
Leo Alves opened the scoring on the half-hour mark, curling a superb free-kick into the corner after Paul Doyle was fouled on the edge of the area.
Limavady pushed for an equaliser after the break and came close through Kieran Farren and Philip Lowry, but Dungannon survived the pressure. Junior then doubled the Swifts’ advantage in the 68th minute, reacting quickest after Marty Gallagher had parried Sean McAllister’s effort.
Rodney McAree’s side remained comfortable in the closing stages to continue their perfect start.
Linfield 1-0 Carrick Rangers
Linfield extended their league winning streak to four games with a narrow victory over Carrick Rangers at Windsor Park.
The Blues dominated possession in the first half and created the better opportunities, with Matthew Fitzpatrick twice going close. Carrick’s best chance fell to Paul Heatley, but Chris Johns made a comfortable save.
The visitors were reduced to ten men shortly after the restart when Jimmy Callacher was shown a straight red for bringing down Kobei Moore as the last defender.
Linfield took advantage nine minutes later, with Kirk Millar’s cross met by Ben Hall, who headed beyond Nathan Gartside. Carrick continued to threaten on the counter, but Linfield held on. Heatley was then also sent off in stoppage time for a challenge on Dane McCullough.
Coleraine 4-1 Crusaders
Coleraine produced a blistering start to storm into a three-goal lead inside the opening eight minutes before eventually defeating Crusaders 4-1 at The Showgrounds.
Senan Devine opened the scoring inside the first minute after Matthew Shevlin’s header and Ben Wylie’s square ball created the opportunity. Jay Henderson then doubled the advantage just four minutes later, racing onto a loose pass before finishing low beyond Shea Callister.
Matthew Shevlin made it 3-0 inside eight minutes, heading Ben Doherty’s cross into the corner as the Bannsiders completely overwhelmed their opponents.
Callister made several excellent saves to prevent further damage before half-time, but Coleraine added a fourth shortly after the restart. Shevlin miscontrolled Dylan Boyle’s pass, but Devine was on hand to fire into the bottom corner and complete his brace.
Crusaders eventually found a consolation through substitute Michael Mulholland in the closing stages, but it was a dominant display from Ruaidhrí Higgins’ side.
