Kean fightback

Ballymena United 1-4 Cliftonville

Jack Keaney started and finished the turnaround as Cliftonville booked their place in the County Antrim Shield Final at Ballymena United’s expense this evening.

At the end of a first-half that the Reds had largely controlled, the hosts opened the scoring against the run of play when Success Edogun showed good composure to stroke home from the edge of the box after a swift counter-attack.

The second period was just two minutes old by the time Keaney flicked home a header from Rory Hale’s free-kick and from there, Cliftonville simply dominated.

Hale headed over and Joe Sheridan was denied by a fine save from former Reds keeper Declan Breen before the away side eventually got the lead their performance deserved when Jonny Addis slipped Joe Gormley through on goal and he stretched out a leg to steer the ball over the line.

Finally in front, the Reds signalled their intention not to simply sit on their advantage by introducing Eric McWoods from the bench and the American frontman played a key role in the third and fourth goals.

First, he raced clear down the right and delivered a well-timed cross for Hale to register his second goal in as many games and then, just a few minutes later, McWoods drew a foul from Stephen O’Donnell, which allowed Keaney to step up and find the bottom corner with an inch-perfect free-kick.

Cliftonville: Ridd, Lavery (Barr, 76 mins), Addis, Wilson 6 (Pepper, 75 mins), Hale, Curran (Falls, 76 mins), Gormley (McWoods, 75 mins), Casey (Leppard, 60 mins), Keaney, Hawthorne, Sheridan. Unused subs: Morrison, Bermingham.