Lyttle laments lack of finishing touch

Gerard Lyttle admitted that Cliftonville’s failure to break the deadlock during a dominant first-half display against Dungannon Swifts cost them dearly.

Having seen Micheal Glynn, Joe Gormley, Ryan Corrigan and Rory Hale all denied by visiting goalkeeper Alex Henderson, the Reds fell behind to James Knowles’ 52nd minute free-kick before John McGovern’s header from a corner wrapped things up soon later.

Lyttle was full of praise for most aspects of Cliftonville’s display during the first 45 minutes and didn’t want to use the exerts of Sunday’s BetMcLean Cup Final as an excuse for failure to kick on after the break.

“It’s disappointing because we don’t like losing,” said Lyttle, standing in following Jim Magilton’s dismissal from the touchline in between the Swifts’ goals.

“Sunday was a great day but it’s gone and it’s now about focusing on the League and your next match.

“I thought we were really good in the first-half and some of our play was as good as I’ve seen. We started the game really fast and our energy levels were good. I thought our general play around the box and the build-up was good – the only thing missing was putting the ball in the net.

“When you get that many chances, you always have a fear of the other team coming and punishing you and I think that was the case. We’ve been done with two set plays and that’s disappointing as well – two set plays have cost us the game.”

Having created so many opportunities during an impressive first-half, Cliftonville found themselves nullified after the break but Lyttle has backed the players to produce a response when they return to action in Saturday’s trip to face Ballymena United.

“We’ve probably created three or four one-v-ones against the keeper and normally we’re so clinical but tonight we weren’t and then, in the second-half, we didn’t test young Henderson at all and, again, that’s another disappointment,” he added.

“It’ll be down to character in terms of bouncing back. We’ve a tough game come Saturday against Ballymena. We haven’t done well against Ballymena this season so it’s something that we’re aware of. We know we’re going to get a tough, tough match against them but it’s about getting back in, preparing and we’ll be ready for another tough game.”