Monday Monthly: September

With almost a month having passed since the European Play-Off Final, cliftonvillefc.net today 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’ll take a chronological look back on a month from the the term just finished – with a frustrating September taking centre stage today.

Following a busy end to the Transfer Window, the Reds named a number of new faces in their line-up for their first knockout action of the season when Ards visited Solitude on County Antrim Shield duty.

Despite bossing possession, Cliftonville rarely looked like finding the net and their only real chance of the night fell Joe Gormley’s way in injury-time, but he found visiting goalkeeper Marc Matthews in inspired form. When the contest progressed to penalties, the Reds were twice on the brink of defeat only for Max Greer and then Corai Quinn to miss the target and when David Odumosu (below) repelled Connor Maxwell’s kick, the hosts progressed with a 9-8 victory.

The team certainly brought their shooting boots to Lakeview Park the following Saturday, when an impressive opening 30 minutes saw Gormley, Kris Lowe and Jonny Addis clocked up a 3-0 lead.

Though the Villagers pulled a goal back midway through the second-half, St Johnstone loanee Taylor Steven (main image) quickly made it 4-1 before touching home his second of the day in the final minute to complete a five-star success.

Cliftonville were, however, unable to build any momentum off the back of that win when they played out a goalless draw with Linfield at Solitude a few days later; Lowe and Ryan Curran going closest to breaking the deadlock under the floodlights.

There was further exasperation the following weekend when the Reds failed to find any rhythm during a Premiership trip to face Ballymena United.

After falling behind to an early penalty, Jim Magilton’s side were rewarded for their response when Addis levelled matters just before the break but a two-goal blast midway through the second period put the Sky Blues in form control and rendered Gormley’s late penalty a mere consolation.

If frustration was the word that summed up the team’s previous two displays, there was palpable anger among the Red Army following a hugely controversial home defeat to Larne.

Deservedly in front through Ruaidhri Donnelly’s header, Cliftonville were pegged back shortly after the interval before a refereeing error saw the visitors awarded a penalty kick. While Addis’ foul on Andy Ryan merited a red card, the offence clearly occurring outside the box did lighten to lighten the mood among the home support as Larne converted the spot-kick en route to a 3-1 success.

Four points from a possible 12 represented an underwhelming few weeks of League action and, with a tricky BetMcLean Cup trek to Limavady United on the horizon, the Reds dearly needed to rediscover their winning touch.

September 2024
Cliftonville 0-0 Ards [9-8 on penalties]

Loughgall 1-5 Cliftonville
Gormley, Lowe, Addis, Steven 2

Cliftonville 0-0 Linfield

Ballymena United 3-2 Cliftonville
Addis, Gormley

Cliftonville 1-3 Larne
Donnelly

Player of the Month: David Odumosu
Goal of the Month: Taylor Steven v Loughgall