Last-gasp Crues spoil theparty for Reds’ Gormley
CRUSADERS: O’Neill, McChrystal, Coates, Ward, Caddell (Snoddy 46), Forsythe, K Owens, J Owens, Heatley, Clarke (Carvill 81), Patterson. Unused subs: Doherty, Lowry, Glackin, Cushley, CLIFTONVILLE: Brush, McGovern, Ives, Breen, C Curran, R Donnelly, McDonald (R Curran 72), Catney, Gormley, J Donnelly, McMenamin. Unused subs: Neeson, Garrett, McConnell, Lavery, Maguire, A Donnelly.
Referee: Ian McNabb (Coleraine).
Match rating: 8/10.
Man of the match: Rory Patterson. JORDAN Owens’ injury time winner took the gloss of Joe Gormley’s big night at Seaview.
Gormley had blasted home two spot kicks which looked to have earned Cliftonville a point in a thrilling north Belfast derby against Crusaders at Seaview last night.
It meant that Gormley became Cliftonville’s all-time leading scorer with 172 goals. Amazingly, 17 of those have now been scored against their big rivals.
He shot his team into an early lead which was cancelled out by Rory Patterson. Ross Clarke then gave the Crues the lead before Gormley struck again.
But with the clock ticking, it was Owens who produced the final sting in the tail.
“I said before the game I’m not fussed on records and that I’d rather have the three points and that’s still the case,” said Gormley. “That’s all I care about. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy every goal I score, but to lost out in that matter was really frustrating.
“I thought our performance deserved a point.
“They scored in injury time and it didn’t give us a chance to get back at them.”
Crusaders missed a glorious chance after only six minutes. Paul Heatley sent Patterson clear on the left and, after skilfully leaving Jamie McGovern and goalkeeper Richard Brush in his wake, he squared to Heatley, but the striker blasted over the top from eight yards.
The Reds responded with Gormley hammering in a 25yard free kick that Colin Coates almost headed into his own net after Ross Clarke had flattened Jay Donnelly.
But the big man had better luck on 14 minutes with that record-breaking opener. Gormley’s cute flick was foolishly handed by Coates and referee Ian McNabb was perfectly placed to award a penalty kick.
Gormley stepped up to balloon the net with a thundering drive.
Cliftonville almost capitalised on another defensive mix-up involving Coates and Kyle Owens, but this time Gormley could only curl the ball into the arms of Sean O’Neill.
Rory Donnell was next to try his luck with a 20-yard volley that arrowed over the crossbar.
The Crues attempted to come back off the ropes. Kyle Owens joined his forwards to get a flick to a Clarke cross on 27 minutes, but when the ball fell to Declan Caddell on the left, he could only hoof his shot high and wide.
But they really should have been back on terms three minutes later. Jordan Forsythe’s cross from the right found the unmarked Jordan Owens in the middle and, with only Brush to beat, he walloped his shot over the crossbar from six yards out.
It was fast and furious, with both sides dangerous on the break. Reds skipper Chris Curran earned himself a yard of space with a neat twist and turn, but his 20-yard low drive fizzed past the post.
The home fans at last had something to cheer with that exquisite strike from Patterson three minutes before the break.
Brush’s clearance was met by a clearing header from Coates, which was flicked on by Jordan Owens for the former Derry City man who drilled a low shot past the stranded Reds’ shot stopper.
Crusaders were fired up after the restart. Patterson crossed for Heatley, whose shot was charged down by Conor McMenamin and, when the ball fell to Kyle Owens at the back post, Levi Ives got in a telling block.
And they forged ahead on 55 minutes through a wonderful finish from Clarke. Referee McNabb stunned most people in the ground by awarding a free kick, having spotted a tug of a shirt.
Clarke stepped up to curl a fantastic shot over the wall and past Brush. But the Crues managed to keep the lead for merely three minutes. Jordan Owens, back helping in defence, clearly pushed Garry Breen and again referee McNabb had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Gormley once more held his nerve in the white heat of a derby to send O’Neill the wrong way.
But with time almost up, Patterson raced down the left and sent over a low cross that was turned in at the back post by an elated Owens. MARTY Donnelly is the man to stop in the Championship.
The Larne hero has long been renowned for creating goals but this season the former Cliftonville winger can’t stop scoring them.
Donnelly netted a second half hat-trick in last weekend’s 4-0 victory away to Ballyclare taking his league tally for the season to 10.
More importantly the victory took big spending Larne to the top of the table, which is where manager Tiernan Lynch wants to be.
Everyone in the game knows wages are high at Larne but so too is work-rate under Lynch. His team may be big favourites for promotion but he won’t be taking anything for granted, especially as, despite their unbeaten start, the Inver outfit are only two points ahead of Dundela and Portadown.
Speaking about the brilliance of Donnelly, it is interesting that Lynch was keen to point out that the player’s perspiration was just as vital as his inspiration.
“Marty is playing in a team where he gets freedom and the chance to express himself. He is a smashing player but he doesn’t just have ability, he has great work-rate and a great attitude and is a joy to be around,” said Lynch.
Next up for the Championship leaders is a tricky trip today to Limavady United who have already shown this season in a draw at Portadown that on their day they are no pushovers.
Perhaps the most intriguing fixture in the second tier of Northern Ireland football this weekend sees second placed Dundela host bottom of the table Ballinamallard.
When the Championship kicked off some felt those positions would have been reversed at this stage.
Dundela deserve immense credit for what they have achieved. As for Ballinamallard they have lost seven games in a row and while boss Harry McConkey knew it would take time for his new team to gel he will now be looking for his players to stand up and be counted. Championship: Dundela v Ballinamallard United; Limavady United v Larne; Knockbreda v Portadown; Carrick Rangers v Loughgall; Dergview v Ballyclare Comrades; H&W Welders v PSNI.