Bangor 3-1 Portadown
Bangor claimed their first win of the season with a convincing victory over ten-man Portadown at Clandeboye Park.
Lewis Harrison opened the scoring after 17 minutes, before Portadown captain Lewis MacKinnon was shown a straight red card shortly before half-time.
Lucas McRoberts and Iestyn Hughes then struck within two minutes of each other after the break to put Bangor firmly in control. Sean O’Mahoney King pulled one back for the visitors, but the Seasiders held on for a deserved three points.
Carrick Rangers 2-5 Larne
Larne continued their unbeaten start to their title defence with an entertaining 5-2 victory over Carrick Rangers at Taylor’s Avenue.
Paul O’Neill put the champions 2-0 ahead before Dan Bent added a third from the penalty spot. Carrick produced a remarkable response before half-time, with Danny Gibson scoring twice to reduce the deficit to one.
O’Neill completed his hat-trick in the second half before Joe Crowe was sent off for Carrick, allowing Bent to convert another penalty and seal the points.
Cliftonville 1-2 Glentoran
Managerless Glentoran secured a dramatic victory at Solitude in their first game since Declan Devine’s departure.
Jack Malone headed the visitors ahead before Dean McMaster levelled with another superb free-kick. Cliftonville dominated much of the second half but were repeatedly denied by Andrew Mills.
Jordan Jenkins then came off the bench to score the winner seven minutes from time, while Malone was sent off in stoppage time as the Glens held on.
Dungannon Swifts 1-1 Ballymena United
Dungannon were unable to make their numerical advantage count as ten-man Ballymena held on for a point at Stangmore Park.
Igor Rutkowski gave the visitors the lead before Scot Whiteside was shown a straight red card just four minutes later.
Danny Wallace equalised before half-time, but despite dominating possession after the break, Dungannon could not find a winner as Ballymena defended resolutely.
Linfield 1-0 Crusaders
Kitt Nelson’s early second-half goal was enough for Linfield to edge past Crusaders at Windsor Park.
The Preston North End loanee struck just 68 seconds after the restart, finishing from close range after Ethan McGee’s cross found him at the back post.
Linfield controlled much of the second half but were reduced to ten men when Kirk Millar was sent off in the 77th minute. Crusaders could not capitalise, while a late Linfield goal was ruled out for handball.
Coleraine 1-0 Limavady United
Coleraine maintained their unbeaten start and extended their run to 15 games with a narrow victory over Limavady at the Showgrounds.
The league leaders created several chances throughout the contest before Joel Cooper finally broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, calmly finishing beneath Marty Gallagher after a defence-splitting pass from Dylan Boyle.
Limavady continued to compete and threatened on occasion, but Coleraine held firm to secure another three points and re-establish their lead at the top of the Premiership.
