Sunday best at Solitude

Cliftonville 2-0 Linfield

Cliftonville powered to a superb home victory over Linfield at an energetic Solitude this afternoon.

After a cagey first-half during which the Reds shaded the scoring chances, the breakthrough came when Shaun Leppard headed home after 64 minutes, with the closest of close-range finishes from Joe Gormley sealing the deal in injury-time.

In a lively start to proceedings, Isaac Baird saw a second minute volley charged down before the hosts fashioned an immediate chance of their own with Brian Healy curling a drive straight into the grateful grasp of goalkeeper Chris Johns.

A Matthew Fitzpatrick attempt was well blocked by Adebayo Fapetu and Ben Hall touched an attempt wide as the Blues went in search of the opener before Jonny Addis headed over the top from Micheal Glynn’s corner delivery.

The Reds suffered a moment of panic in the closing stages of the opening half when a breakdown in communication saw Kirk Millar seize upon the ball with goalkeeper PJ Morrison out of position, but Leppard was perfectly placed to head the danger clear.

Cliftonville notably stepped things up after the interval and almost edged in front when Liam McStravick guided a volley over the bar before the same player was denied a spectacular goal by Johns’ flying save. From Glynn’s resulting corner, however, Leppard showed immense strength and determination to head in from close range.

The hosts lived a little dangerously thereafter and saw Ethan McGee threaten either side of Morrison pawing a Chris McKee effort away, while Millar was denied during a frantic goalmouth scramble.

Gormley went close to wrapping things up in injury-time only to see his low blast well saved by Johns before McKee came within inches of converting a Matt Yates cross to level things.

With just seconds remaining, however, the Reds got their second goal when Sean Robertson did well to pick Ryan Curran out with a pass and he blasted a fierce strike across the face of goal, with Gormley converting via the front post from virtually on the line.