Raking over the goals

Jim Magilton heaped praise on Cliftonville’s application and energy during last night’s UEFA Conference League clash with Auda – but admitted the goals his side gave away were entirely preventable.

After Abiodun Ogunniyi hooked in from a corner kick, the Reds levelled through Luke Conlan and saw Ronan Doherty and Jonny Addis go close during a second-half where the hosts evidently grew in confidence only to be undone when Abdulraham Taiwo powered his way through to finish and hand the Latvians a 2-1 advantage at the halfway stage of the second qualifying round tie.

Magilton was pleased with how his players performed against a team that is deep into their domestic season, but lamented the manner of the goals that leave the Reds chasing the contest ahead of next week’s return duel in Riga.

“Organisationally, I thought we were very good,” he said.

“The shape of the team was excellent, the players worked so, so hard and I thought even our fitness levels were excellent.

“The two goals we conceded – no matter what level you’re at – were bad goals, really bad goals. In a game where those margins are very, very tight, that can’t happen.

“Other than that, I thought we were very competitive and, in terms of where we are in our season, I was extremely happy with the players.”

Magilton believes that rising belief levels were behind his team’s notable step-up as the second-half progressed and says that a similar attitude will be required when Auda host the second leg of the tie next week.

“I think we can show more courage and when we did, I thought we passed the ball well against a side that are bang in their season, so there were lots of positives for us.

“I felt that we had opportunities from set pieces and if we crossed from good areas, I think we could have hurt them a little bit more than we did. I think that’s just down to where we’re at at the minute in terms of us and our levels. But in terms of effort, energy and what they gave, you couldn’t ask for any more.

“Next week, we’re going to have to show the same energy reserves that we did and we have to be braver – we have to be us.”