Matchweek Three delivered plenty of talking points, with Coleraine moving to the top of the table, Crusaders making it back-to-back wins and Linfield continuing their recovery.
Glentoran also got back to winning ways, while Dungannon Swifts got their second win in a row.
Ballymena United 0-2 Glentoran (Friday)
Glentoran left it late to claim a 2-0 victory over Ballymena United at the Showgrounds.
Ballymena started brightly and created several opportunities, with Chris McKee and Igor Rutkowski both testing Billy Crellin. The hosts even thought they had taken the lead when McKee’s header hit the crossbar before Matthew Clarke followed up, but the effort was ruled out.
The game remained goalless until nine minutes from time when Scot Whiteside was penalised for handball inside the box. Aaron McEneff kept his composure to send David Walsh the wrong way from the spot.
Ballymena pushed for a response, but Walsh produced several important saves before Marcus Kane sealed the points in stoppage time, heading home from McEneff’s corner. It was a second win of the season for Declan Devine’s side.
Linfield 1-0 Cliftonville (Friday)
Linfield made it back-to-back victories with a narrow 1-0 win over Cliftonville at Windsor Park.
The Reds threatened on the counter early on, but Linfield gradually took control of possession. Both sides had opportunities without seriously testing the scoreline, with PJ Morrison making a particularly good save to deny Kirk Millar.
The breakthrough arrived 10 minutes into the second half. Adam Frizzell delivered a corner and Ethan McGee rose highest to power a header beyond Morrison and put the Blues ahead.
Cliftonville pushed for an equaliser, with Rory Hale and Liam McStravick going close, while Linfield had chances to put the game beyond doubt through Matthew Fitzpatrick and Kobei Moore.
The Reds couldn’t find the breakthrough, however, as Linfield held on for a second consecutive victory.
Carrick Rangers 0-2 Coleraine
Coleraine moved to the top of the Premiership with a hard-earned 2-0 victory over Carrick Rangers at Taylors Avenue.
Both sides created chances in an entertaining first half, with Lewis Webb producing an excellent save to deny Billy Joe Burns and Matthew Shevlin missing a good opportunity for the visitors.
Coleraine finally broke the deadlock in the 56th minute. Dylan Boyle picked out Joel Cooper’s run over the top, and the forward raced through before calmly finishing underneath Nathan Gartside.
Carrick pushed for an equaliser, but the Bannsiders remained dangerous. Four minutes from time, Ben Doherty put the result beyond doubt with a stunning left-footed strike from distance into the roof of the net.
Ruadhrí Higgins’ side now sit top of the table and remain unbeaten.
Dungannon Swifts 2-0 Bangor
Dungannon Swifts continued their excellent start with a 2-0 victory over Bangor at Stangmore Park.
Sean McAllister opened the scoring after just 11 minutes, receiving the ball from Gael Bigirimana before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the top corner.
The Swifts continued to create chances, but Bangor grew into the game and threatened themselves, with Lewis Harrison heading wide and Danny Wallace making an important challenge to deny Jay Boyd.
Dungannon remained in control after the break and eventually sealed the points nine minutes from time. Harry Lynch brought down Tiernan Kelly inside the box and Andy Mitchell calmly converted the resulting penalty.
The win moved Rodney McAree’s side onto six points from their opening three games.
Crusaders 3-2 Portadown
Crusaders made it back-to-back victories with an eventful 3-2 win over Portadown at Seaview.
Adam Brooks opened the scoring after 11 minutes and doubled the advantage just after the half-hour mark, heading home from Owen Wardell’s corner routine.
Portadown’s task became even harder when Finn Flanagan was sent off for a second yellow card shortly before half-time.
Despite being down to 10 men, Portadown came flying out after the break. Baris Altintop pulled one back, only for Brooks to complete his hat-trick less than two minutes later after capitalising on a poor back pass.
Eamon Fyfe responded almost immediately to make it 3-2 and set up a tense final half-hour. Portadown pushed for an equaliser, but Crusaders held on despite several nervy moments.
It was another valuable three points for Declan Caddell’s side, while David Jeffrey’s Portadown remain without a point after three games.
