Smash and drab

Larne 1-1 Cliftonville

Joe Gormley thundered in a powerful first-half equaliser as Cliftonville battled to a draw against Larne at Inver Park this afternoon.

Following seven consecutive Danske Bank Premiership victories, the Reds failed to establish any consistent rhythm today and fell behind when, under pressure from Johnny McMurray, defender Garry Breen nodded Davy McDaid’s cross into his own net.

It wasn’t long until the visitors were level, however, with Breen atoning for his error by providing the precise ball over the top for Gormley who, after shrugging off Harry Flowers, lashed a fierce strike in off the underside of the crossbar.

In spite of a brief rally after that goal, Cliftonville struggled for fluency for the most part and were probably content to take their point, especially after McDaid passed up a golden opportunity to win the game for Larne when he struck wide after rounding goalkeeper Richard Brush.

The visitors almost got off to the perfect start when rampaging full-back Conor McDermott cut inside before firing off a left-footed drive that connected with the base of the post ahead of a fantastic challenge from Flowers stopped Gormley stealing in on goal.

At the other end, Johnny McMurray nodded just past the post but it wasn’t long before the former Cliftonville striker played a key role in his current employers taking the lead; his presence enough to force the error that saw Breen put the ball past Brush.

Breen almost made up for things with a header that flashed across the face of goal but parity was eventually restored thanks to that superb Gormley finish.

Ryan Curran sent a header just wide as the visitors ended the first-half strongly and, shortly after the turnaround, were left fuming when referee Jamie Robinson allowed play to continue when Albert Watson felled Gormley with a challenge that could arguably have seen the Larne centre-half dismissed.

The official similarly took no action – the award of an obvious free-kick aside – when Mark Randall climbed into the air to make a basketball-style catch, while McMurray’s aggressive reaction to a foul by Ronan Doherty saw both players booked.

McDaid should have put the hosts ahead just past the hour but, after side-stepping Brush, miscued his strike wide of the target before Gormley twice went close to putting Cliftonville ahead; a fierce half-volley that whistled past the post and a close-range attempt that Conor Devlin saved with an outstretched boot.

Martin Donnelly’s poor challenge on Doherty sparked a brawl that the referee once again opted to settle with a caution for each team – Jamie Harney joining Donnelly in the book – ahead of the final chance of the game seeing Ruaidhri Donnelly just off target.

Cliftonville: Brush, McDermott, Breen, Harney, McKee, C Curran, R Curran, Bagnall, Gormley, Doherty, A Donnelly. Subs: Dunne, Wilson, Foster, R. Donnelly (McKee, 51 mins), Maguire, McMenamin (Gormley, 77 mins), Gorman.