Positive thinking

Barry Gray was happy with a “positive” work-out as Cliftonville overcame Newry City in last night’s Solitude friendly.

Ahead at half-time courtesy of an own goal and Jay Donnelly’s composed finish, Cliftonville took full control after the interval and added to their tally thanks to a Joe Gormley double, an eye-catching drive from Ross Lavery and Donnelly’s second of the night to seal a 6-0 scoreline against the Championship side.

“We got what we needed out of the game, just,” said Gray.

“I thought the first-half we looked a wee bit sluggish and we were certainly slow in our delivery, but in the second half we were much than that. Newry sat back and gave us the opportunity to get balls forward.

“The positives were Joe Gormley’s runs in the first half off the shoulder – we weren’t quick enough to deliver balls for him but his runs were good.

“The strikers have scored goals, midfielders have got more minutes under the belt and I think all in all it was positive enough”.