Monday Monthly: October

With the curtain having recently closed on Cliftonville’s 2023/24 season, cliftonvillefc.net continues a new weekly mini-series reflecting on the good, the bad and the in-betweens of last term.

Every Monday between now and the new domestic campaign getting under way, we’re taking a chronological look back on a month from the the year just finished – with a positive October taking centre stage today.

A BetMcLean Cup second round tie with Institute saw Ben Wilson continue the fine scoring start to his Reds career and, after Rory Hale curled in a delightful strike, Stephen Mallon put the seal on victory with his first goal for the Club (above).

Wilson (above) was at it again a few days later when his hat-trick set Cliftonville on course for a Sports Direct Premiership victory over Dungannon Swifts which was further boosted by a chipped effort from Joe Gormley ahead of Sam Ashford opening his account.

Hale claimed the only goal of a midweek trip to face Glenavon at Mourneview Park before the Reds’ winning run came to come to a harsh finish when, despite a dominant display at home to Linfield, the visitors emerged with a 1-0 win.

It wasn’t long, however, before Cliftonville got back on track; Wilson volleying in a cool opener at Coleraine ahead of Ashford (above) producing the decisive strike to end the month on a high and ensure Jim Magilton’s men approached an Inver Park showdown with Larne in a positive frame of mind.

October 2023
Cliftonville 3-0 Institute
Wilson, Rory Hale, Mallon

Cliftonville 5-0 Dungannon Swifts
Wilson 3, Gormley, Ashford

Glenavon 0-1 Cliftonville
Rory Hale

Cliftonville 0-1 Linfield

Coleraine 1-2 Cliftonville
Wilson, Ashford

Player of the Month: Shea Kearney
Goal of the Month: Ben Wilson v Coleraine