Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
REDS ARE RIGHT ON CRU
Solitude men keep cool to deliver timely win against old rivals
BY
A FIESTY North Belfast derby saw Cliftonville keep their cool to see off 10-man Crusaders and maintain their bold title challenge at Solitude yesterday.
It was the first time the Reds had beaten their big rivals at home since April 2019 and Paddy McLaughlin’s slick side were full value for the three points.
They had a big shout for a penalty early on when Rory Hale played Jamie McDonagh in on goal and Josh Robinson bundled him over in the box but referee Tony Clarke let it slide.
McDonagh channelled his disappointment the right way and in the 13th minute his whipped corner from the left found the head of Jonny Addis, who nodded home with surprising ease inside the six-yard box.
The visitors looked like they were sparking into life midway through the half when Jordan Forsythe cracked a fierce shot just over but things went from bad to worse for Stephen
Baxter’s side as they were reduced to 10 men in the 27th minute.
The Reds were hunting the ball down in ravenous packs in midfield and Crusaders’ Declan Caddell lost his cool, flying in with a reckless challenge on Chris Gallagher that sparked a melee involving both dugouts.
When the dust settled, Caddell was sent off while Cliftonville sub Conor
McDermott received a booking for his part in the ugly scenes.
The Crues were down but certainly not out and their spirited response saw them draw level in the 43rd minute when Jarlath O’Rourke fizzed a brilliant free kick across the area and Robinson arrived right on cue to sweep home a first-time finish at the far post.
However, further controversy raged on the stroke of half-time as home skipper Levi Ives was allowed to take a throw-in from the wrong spot and Ryan Curran latched on to the ball to coolly slot past Jonny Tuffey from a tight angle.
The start of the second half saw Cliftonville struggling to know whether to stick or twist.
But they began to dominate proceedings again around the hour mark and Tuffey was forced to make two fine saves from Gallagher and then Daniel Kearns.
Ives seemed determined to drive his side over the line and after dispossessing Billy Joe Burns on the left flank he rampaged forward and clipped a wonderful pass across to McDonagh who sliced horribly wide.
The captain then took matters into his own hands in the 79th minute to make sure of the points.
McDonagh danced down the right and found Ronan Doherty, who took his time before teeing up Ives to crack a low shot past Tuffey from 22 yards..