Coleraine continue unbeaten start
Coleraine maintained their impressive start to the Premiership season with a comfortable 3-0 victory away to Portadown on Friday night. Goals from Matthew Shevlin, Senan Devine and Will Patching ensured the Bannsiders returned home with another three points.
Ruaidhri Higgins’ side now sit top of the table with 10 points from a possible 12, having yet to taste defeat. It is still early days, but Coleraine are already showing the consistency expected of a side with genuine ambitions this season.
The mood is very different at Portadown, however. Four games, four defeats and no points represents a miserable start, with David Jeffrey’s side already facing an important period in the campaign.
A big win for Crusaders
Crusaders made it three wins in a row with a huge late victory away to Glentoran – and it could be one that gives the Seaview side even greater belief heading into the weeks ahead.
Glentoran dominated large periods of the game and could easily have been one or two goals ahead before Owen Wardell broke away to give Crusaders the lead against the run of play. Ben Gallagher equalised in the second half, but substitute Aaron Reid emerged late on to snatch all three points for the visitors.
It has been a very positive start to the season for Declan Caddell’s side, who may have a little more optimism than they did a few weeks ago. Losing Adam Brooks will be a major blow, though, with Coleraine’s record transfer move for the 22-year-old forward set to be confirmed.
The Adam Frizzell show at Limavady
Adam Frizzell continued his fine start to the season with another goal and assist as Linfield made it three successive victories with a professional 2-0 win away to Limavady United.
The midfielder created Matthew Fitzpatrick’s opener before getting on the scoresheet himself in the second half. That takes Frizzell to one goal and three assists already this season, underlining just how influential he has been for David Healy’s side.
After their opening-day defeat, Linfield have responded perfectly with three wins in a row. Frizzell is emerging as one of their key men – and if he can maintain this form, the Blues will be delighted.
Carrick Rangers march on
Carrick Rangers returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion with a 4-0 victory away to Bangor, producing one of their most convincing performances of the opening weeks.
Goals from Matthew Snoddy, Danny Gibson, Paul Heatley and Joe Crowe completed a comprehensive afternoon for Stephen Baxter’s side, who had been looking to respond after their defeat to Coleraine last weekend.
It is still early, but Carrick sit second in the table with nine points from a possible 12. That is exactly the kind of start they would have wanted, and there is plenty for Baxter to be encouraged about as they look to build on last season’s progress.
Magilton left frustrated by refereeing decisions
Jim Magilton was left frustrated with a number of referee Shane Andrews’ decisions as Cliftonville fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Dungannon Swifts.
The Reds had dominated large parts of the first half and thought they had taken the lead through Brian Healy, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Magilton was adamant afterwards that the decision was incorrect, while he also questioned the straight red card shown to Harry Wilson shortly before half-time for his challenge on Gael Bigirimana.
With Cliftonville down to ten men, Dungannon took control after the break as Kealan Dillon and Sean McAllister scored to secure the points. It was a third consecutive win for Rodney McAree’s side, while Cliftonville have now lost back-to-back league games after winning their opening two.
Welders take East Belfast bragging rights
H&W Welders came out on top in Friday night’s East Belfast derby against Dundela, with second-half goals from Daniel Mhondiwa and Calvin McCurry securing a 2-0 victory.
The match was streamed live on NIFL TV, and Paul Kee’s side will have been delighted to claim both the bragging rights and another important three points.
It makes it three wins in a row and four victories from their opening five games for the Welders. Perhaps even more impressively, they have conceded just three goals so far – the best defensive record in the Championship at this early stage.
