Linfield have found a response
Linfield’s opening-day defeat to Ballymena suddenly feels a long way away.
Two difficult fixtures against Glentoran and Cliftonville have produced two wins, with David Healy’s side showing plenty of grit to claim maximum points.
Friday night’s 1-0 victory over Cliftonville was hardly a classic, but Ethan McGee’s second-half header was enough to secure the points. More importantly, Linfield defended their lead and saw the game out against a side that had won both of their opening matches.
There is still plenty of noise around Windsor Park, but this was exactly the response Linfield needed. They now have another opportunity to build momentum when they travel to Limavady next weekend.
500 league appearances for a Glentoran legend
Marcus Kane reached a remarkable milestone on Friday.
The Glentoran captain made his 500th league appearance for the club as the Glens returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Ballymena United.
It was a tight contest for long periods before Aaron McEneff broke the deadlock from the penalty spot with a Panenka, but Kane ensured the occasion ended perfectly when he headed home the second in stoppage time.
Having joined Glentoran in 2012, Kane has spent 14 years at the club and has won three Irish Cups along the way. Five hundred league appearances is an extraordinary achievement – and doing it for the same club makes it even more special.
Coleraine are already on top
Coleraine are now sitting at the summit.
Ruaidhri Higgins’ side made it three games unbeaten with a hard-fought 2-0 victory away to Carrick Rangers, who had won their opening two matches.
Carrick made life difficult for the Bannsiders, especially given the fact that they were without Paul Heatley and Adam Lecky, but Coleraine showed they could win a different type of game. Lewis Webb was excellent between the sticks, while the defence stood firm when required.
Joel Cooper and Ben Doherty ultimately provided the goals, although Coleraine will have some concern over Cooper after he was forced off injured.
The Bannsiders have made their intentions clear – and they are currently sitting where they want to be.
Dungannon don’t want to lose Sean McAllister
Dungannon Swifts have started the season strongly. Rodney McAree just hopes they can keep hold of one of their biggest assets.
Sean McAllister scored his second goal in three games as Dungannon beat Bangor 2-0, continuing an impressive return after an injury-hit spell with Everton.
McAree admitted afterwards that he remains concerned about losing the 23-year-old before the transfer window closes, with interest having already been shown in the forward this summer.
The Dungannon boss even joked that he ignores phone numbers he suspects could be calling about McAllister. With nine days remaining in the window, the Swifts will be hoping their star man remains at Stangmore Park.
Crusaders are winning – but not convincingly
Crusaders have six points from their last two games, but Declan Caddell knows there is plenty to improve.
Adam Brooks’ hat-trick inspired a chaotic 3-2 victory over Portadown at Seaview, with the Crues racing into a 2-0 lead before Finn Flanagan’s red card changed the complexion of the game.
Three goals arrived in four second-half minutes as Baris Altintop, Brooks and James Teelan all found the net, leaving Portadown within touching distance of a comeback.
Crusaders ultimately held on, but Caddell was “extremely frustrated” with how his side sat back and invited pressure. Six points is the important part, but the performances still leave questions.
Newington: early promotion candidates or early season hype?
Newington are top of the Championship after four games. And they aren’t just scraping results.
A 4-0 demolition of Rathfriland Rangers took Declan O’Hara’s side onto 10 points from a possible 12, with Aaron Heaney scoring twice alongside goals from Seamus Duffy and Jay Donnelly.
It is an outstanding start for a side many wouldn’t have expected to be leading the Championship at this stage.
The obvious question now is whether Newington can sustain it. Four games is a small sample size, but they have already shown enough to suggest this could be more than just a fast start.
