Hale’s brace position

Cliftonville 4-0 Bangor

Ronan Hale bagged a second-half double as Cliftonville’s pre-season preparations continued with a 4-0 victory over Bangor this evening.

An own goal handed the Reds a half-time advantage before Hale’s first of the night doubled the hosts’ lead, with Stephen McGuinness adding a well-taken third in advance of Hale wrapping up his brace.

Jamie McDonagh saw an early route to goal blocked and Fynn Talley fielded a Jamie Glover free-kick before Cliftonville saw a double-blast of chances come and go when Trialist’s cross to Joe Gormley was cut out by the goalkeeper ahead of McDonagh sending the follow-up against the crossbar.

Gormley then saw one effort charged down and another fly over the top but, as home pressure built, the breakthrough finally came when a fierce blast from Odhran Casey was turned into his own net by Ryley D’Sena, although Paul O’Neill claimed to have made a telling touch.

The Reds came close to making it 2-0 soon later when Gormley weaved his way past a couple of challenges before steering a low drive against the base of the post before a goal-line clearance from Luke Turner prevented Bangor from drawing level.

Paddy McLaughlin made eight changes at the interval and almost saw his side increase their lead immediately upon the resumption of play when Rory Hale seized on a loose backpass but saw his shot turned behind by the goalkeeper.

From the resulting corner, however, there was nothing the Seasiders’ custodian could do as Ronan Hale curled a fine effort into the top corner from distance.

Finn Moffett dragged a shot wide as Bangor sought a route back into the contest before McGuinness added the hosts’ third; the full-back showing good composure to take control of a Rory Hale delivery and stepping inside to rifle into the roof of the net with his right foot.

Rory Hale and Ronan Doherty then brought saves out of the goalkeeper ahead of the scoring being completed five minutes from time when McGuinness played Ronan Hale through on goal and he tucked his effort between the keeper’s legs and into the net.

Cliftonville: Talley, Gallagher, O’Neill, McDonagh, Robinson, Gormley, Casey, Turner, Mallon, McGuinness, Trialist. Subs: McKenna (Talley, 46 mins), Addis (Turner, 46 mins), C Curran (McDonagh, 46 mins), Rory Hale (Casey, 46 mins), Foster (Trialist, 57 mins), Lowe (Mallon, 46 mins), Doherty (O’Neill, 46 mins), Ronan Hale (Gormley, 46 mins), Storey (Gallagher, 46 mins).