Classy Friel keeps Crues down in the bottom half

RESULTS

DANSKE BANK PREMIERSHIP Ballymena United 2

Glentoran 2 Carrick Rangers 1 Crusaders 1

Cliftonville 3 Dungannon Swifts 0

Glenavon 1 Warrenpoint Town 0 Portadown 1 Larne 2

A SUPERB strike from Cathair Friel gave Carrick Rangers a deserved point for a strong second-half response after they had gifted Crusaders a fourth-minute lead through Jamie Mcgonigle.

It was only Friel’s third goal for Carrick after his controversial exit from Ballymena, but his glorious 30-yard strike stunned the Crues, who remain in the bottom half of the table, only six points behind third place but having played two games more.

Carrick boss Niall Currie rang the changes, making four from the 3-0 defeat by Larne, and called for a fast start from his team. But, not for the first time this season, his plans were undone by an early mistake.

This one was a ridiculous back pass from the halfway line by Caolan Loughran which was comfortably intercepted by Mcgonigle, who tucked the ball through the legs of the onrushing Aaron Hogg and was left with the simple task of putting it into the empty net.

It was nearly two in the 16th minute when Corey Mcmullan gave the ball away to Paul Heatley, who skipped past the feeble challenge of Chris Rodgers and although he beat Hogg with his cross-shot, the ball rebounded back off the far upright.

Heatley then set up Mcgonigle who was not so cool with his finish this time, hooking the ball badly wide from 15 yards.

Carrick’s only chance of the half came from a corner which Loughran headed goalwards but Aidan Wilson was on the back post to clear the danger.

But the home side enjoyed the bulk of the possession in the second half and were on level terms in the 64th minute when Friel swung his left foot at the ball and it sailed into the roof of the net past a helpless Sean O’neill.

CARRICK RANGERS: Hogg, Rodgers, Ramsey (Forsythe 59 mins), Loughran; Glendinning, Chapman, Mcmullan (Cherry 54 mins), Neale, Gibson; Ca Friel, Jenkins (Gawne 73 mins). Unused subs: Co Friel, Smith, Anderson, Storey.

CRUSADERS: O’neill, Wilson, Burns, Brown, O’rourke; Forsythe, Weir (Clarke 69 mins), Lowry, Lecky, Mcgonigle (Cushley 82 mins), Heatley (Owens 74 mins). Unused subs: Tuffey, Caddell, Ruddy Larmour.

Referee: Shane Andrews (Carryduff)

Man of the match: Reece Glendinning

Match rating: 6/10.