Queen sweep

Cliftonville 2-3 Queen’s Park

Cliftonville slipped to defeat in an enthralling SPFL Trust Trophy third round tie with Queen’s Park at Solitude this afternoon.

A first ever competitive meeting between Ireland’s and Scotland’s oldest Football Clubs had a big billing to live up to and, from the moment the visitors took a third minute lead through Grant Savoury, the intensity of the contest never waned.

Colin Coates nodded the Reds level soon later and, though the Spiders were back in front by half-time through Scott Williamson – a goal, it should be noted, that came with Cliftonville expecting referee Lee Tavinder to award a free-kick for a foul on Ronan Hale in the build-up – Jonny Addis pounced to make it 2-2 shortly after the interval.

Both goalkeepers made eye-catching saves as the sides took it in turns to pour forward, with the game’s decisive moment coming when Dominic Thomas lashed in a superb strike from the edge of the box with just over a quarter of an hour remaining.

Cliftonville: Talley, Addis, Gallagher, Rory Hale (Gormley, 66 mins), R Curran, McDonagh (Moore, 74 mins), Lowe, Doherty, Turner, Ronan Hale, Coates (C Curran, 79 mins). Unused subs: Gartside, Robinson, Storey, Casey, McGuinness, Kearney.