Joe-two guy!

Cliftonville 2-1 Coleraine

Joe Gormley’s double earned Cliftonville maximum points under the Solitude lights this evening.

The striker netted in either half to get the Reds back to winning ways with a deserved success that, in truth, should have been achieved with more to spare, such was the number of opportunities the hosts carved out.

Jamie McGonigle levelled in between times, but his smart finish was unable to swing the momentum in the Bannsiders’ direction, with Cliftonville largely pinning their visitors back during a commanding second-half display.

Things might have been different had David Odumosu not made quickfire early saves from Graham Kelly and Matthew Shevlin but, having found themselves under pressure for much of the opening exchanges, Cliftonville took the lead in unusual circumstances when Rory Hale’s willingless to chase down what appeared to be a lost cause ended in him being fouled inside the box by Kelly, allowing Gormley to step up and convert from the penalty spot.

A long-range effort from Shea Kearney drew a save from Max Little, who reacted well to stop Ryan Corrigan converting the rebound and it wasn’t long before Coleraine drew level when McGonigle picked his spot after being slipped through by Jamie Glackin.

Even so, the Reds continued to control affairs and, after Taylor Steven had tried his luck from distance, Arran Pettifer was unfortunate to see a 43rd minute snapshot repelled by Little.

Cliftonville should have been in front shortly after the interval when Little hesitated to come and collect Kelly’s back-header but when Gormley stole in to bear down on goal, he saw his shot kept out by the keeper with Steven unable to fashion anything from the follow up.

The hosts should have had a 65th minute penalty when Steven was chopped down by Senan Devine but referee Evan Boyce wasn’t convinced, however the Reds chanelled their frustration in positive manner to reclaim the lead almost instantly afterwards when Pettifer and Gormley combined to deny Coleraine’s defence the chance to clear their lines and Gormley pounced to find the bottom corner.

Odumosu tipped a Devine shot over and an unmarked Shevlin failed to hit the target from a promising position in a rare moment of Cliftonville uncertainty at the back as the clock ticked down, but there was still time for the Reds to come close to a third when Gormley charged into the area only to see his attempted pass to Ryan Curran cut out by Jack Scott in what proved the final meaningful action of an entertaining battle.

Cliftonville: Odumosu, Pepper (Doherty, 57 mins), Addis, Newberry, Pettifer (Piesold, 75 mins), Kearney, Hale, Gormley, Glynn, Steven (Curran, 76 mins), Corrigan (Donnelly, 70 mins). Unused subs: Ridd, Markey, Hawthorne.