Monday monthly: November

With the new season set to be ushered in with Europa League action in less than a month’s time, cliftonvillefc.net continues a weekly mini-series reflecting on the good, the bad and the in-betweens of the 2017/18 campaign.

Every Monday, we’re taking a chronological look back on a new month from Barry Gray’s first year at the helm – with a sensational November, during which the Reds won every game without conceding a goal, falling under our spotlight today.

The month began with a Joe Gormley double and a Daniel Hughes strike earning a 3-0 victory over Carrick Rangers in the Danske Bank Premiership before Ballinamallard United were downed in a five-star display that saw both Gormley and Hughes bag braces after Jay Donnelly had opened the scoring.

Elder brother Rory made the difference when Carrick visited Solitude on League Cup Quarter Final duty ahead of Jay netting the only goal of the game in an edgy encounter with Ards at The Bangor Fuels Arena.

Cliftonville’s final task in November was presented by Ballymena United, who were undone by a 70th minute Stephen Garrett strike which earned the hosts a third consecutive 1-0 win and ensured they would complete the month with a perfect five wins from five – and all without shipping a single goal, which earned keeper Brian Neeson the Sean Graham Player of the Month accolade from the fans.

November 2017
Cliftonville 3-0 Carrick Rangers
Gormley 2, Hughes

Cliftonville 5-0 Ballinamallard United
J Donnelly, Gormley [2], Hughes [2]

Cliftonville 1-0 Carrick Rangers
R Donnelly

Ards 0-1 Cliftonville
J Donnelly

Cliftonville 1-0 Ballymena United
Garrett