Lyttle issues to address

Gerard Lyttle was almost at a loss to explain how Cliftonville emerged with nothing to show from their efforts during yesterday’s Sports Direct Premiership encounter with Glentoran.

In a game the Reds largely bossed, the deadlock was broken by Joe Gormley’s 29th minute header and the hosts – who had already gone close through Taylor Steven – saw Gormley and Micheal Glynn threaten to double their advantage before, out of nowhere, a wind-assisted long ball forward from Glens goalkeeper Daniel Gyollai levelled matters.

After the break, Rory Hale sent a free-kick wide and Steven saw an attempt cleared off the line before Cliftonville were again stunned at the other end when David Odumosu was unable to keep out a low drive from Daniel Amos.

The Reds’ frustrations were compounded by the late dismissal of Odhrán Casey, leaving Lyttle – standing in for the suspended Jim Magilton – to reflect on the loss of three points.

“I think it’s been a little trend in a few of our games where we’ve been totally dominant but haven’t really put the opposition to bed,” he said.

“We’ve created a lot of good chances in the first-half and should have been two or three up. Walking off at half-time, (Glens assistant boss) Paddy McCourt couldn’t believe they were coming in level.

“We’re really disappointed, we’re really down in the changing room. I thought our first-half performance was really good. The second-half was probably even enough but we’ve had chances to win the game and, in the end, it’s two mistakes that have cost us.”

Rather than lay blame, however, Lyttle sympathised with Odumosu following a chastening afternoon.

“When an outfield player makes a mistake, you can maybe get away with one or two behind him but with a goalkeeper, you don’t have the same joys of that,” he added.

“There’s no pointing the finger or anything like that. The whole changing room is really down and it’s important everyone works together to bounce back.”

Lyttle was likewise supportive of Casey following his controversial collection of a second yellow card.

Having already been booked, the Reds defender was adjudged to have fouled David Fisher after the ball had already gone out of play for a home throw-in; Casey’s argument that he was adopting a safety-first approach by playing until the whistle falling on the deaf ears of referee Tim Marshall.

“I think a little bit of common sense is needed there,” said Lyttle.

“The ball’s gone out for our throw-in and he hasn’t blown the whistle. The linesman’s flagged and you teach your kids to play to the whistle.

“Casey’s tried to make a tackle because the ref hasn’t blown the whistle when the linesman’s flagged. Then it’s down to common sense but he goes and books him and I think we’ve been mugged off.”