Teaming with quality

Paddy McLaughlin toasted an “excellent” team performance in Cliftonville’s 4-2 win against Coleraine yesterday.

Leading through two early Rory Hale efforts, the Reds saw their advantage halved when a fortuitous Conor McKendru effort sneaked in on the stroke of half-time, only for Ryan Curran’s header to restore the two-goal cushion.

Matthew Shevlin reduced the arrears with just under a quarter of an hour remaining but a deft header from Joe Gormley secured the points as Cliftonville hit back in style from last week’s loss in Larne.

“It was a good team performance right throughout,” said McLaughlin.

“You couldn’t pick one individual out and say it was their work that got us the win – it was down to everybody on the pitch. Even the two boys that came on late on – Chris Curran and Joe Gormley – they got us over the line with Joe scoring the goal to seal the game.”

The Manager refused to let the concession of two goals take the gloss off a fine away day success and paid tribute to the efforts of players right across the pitch.

“There wasn’t much we could do about the two goals against – one was a deflection and the other was a cross-cum-shot,” he added.

“Outside of that, I thought our play and goals were excellent. It’s what we’re all about.

“The disappointment of last week was put to bed. It was important we bounced back straight away and we did that.

“Defensively, we were excellent. Jamie Robinson and Jonny Addis were superb in there and, up top, Ronan Hale ran himself into the ground along with his brother Rory.

“From top to bottom, I thought the boys were excellent.”