Monday Monthly: September

With the curtain having recently closed on Cliftonville’s 2023/24 season, cliftonvillefc.net 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 contrasting September taking centre stage today.

After failing to make the most of their opportunities, the Reds were made to pay the price when Glentoran bagged the only goal of the game at The Oval and the team’s fortunes didn’t improve three days later when, despite getting off to a blistering start courtesy of a rocket of a strike from Ben Wilson (above), Cliftonville exited the County Antrim Shield at the first hurdle as Carrick Rangers claimed a 3-2 victory at Loughview Leisure Arena.

Three unanswered goals saw Raith Rovers inflict SPFL Trust Trophy elimination at Stark’s Park before the first North Belfast Derby of the season sparked the Reds back into form as goals from Chris Gallagher, Rory Hale and Wilson earned a sensational 3-0 success at Seaview.

A Wilson double ensured full points from a trip to Ballymena United (above) and, following four games on the road, Jim Magilton’s men returned to Solitude in style when Coleraine were demolished 5-0; Joe Gormley (below) slamming in a hat-trick alongside another Wilson brace.

Cliftonville’s momentum was stalled somewhat when Loughgall visited Solitude on the final day of the month, with the visitors reacting to Jonny Addis’ early opener by becoming the first away team of the season to either score a goal or emerge with a point for their efforts.

Having kicked September off with three consecutive losses, ending it with three wins and a draw certainly had the team in positive shape ahead of a BetMcLean Cup clash with Institute in October’s opening week…

September 2023
Glentoran 1-0 Cliftonville

Carrick Rangers 3-2 Cliftonville
Wilson, OG

Raith Rovers 3-0 Cliftonville

Crusaders 0-3 Cliftonville
Gallagher, Rory Hale, Wilson

Ballymena United 0-2 Cliftonville
Wilson 2

Cliftonville 5-0 Coleraine
Gormley 3, Wilson 2

Cliftonville 1-1 Loughgall
Addis

Player of the Month: Ben Wilson
Goal of the Month: Joe Gormley’s second v Coleraine