Drawing Euro comfort

St Joseph’s 2-2 Cliftonville

Cliftonville were twice reeled in by St Joseph’s as the 10-man Reds had to contend with a draw in this evening’s UEFA Conference League first qualifying round first leg tie in Gibraltar.

Twice ahead through goals that both made little marks on history, the visitors – who had Jack Keaney sent off early in the second-half – were pegged back each time as Alvaro Rey netted a double for The Saints at Europa Point Stadium.

Curran’s headed opener on 39 minutes was the very first goal scored in this season’s Conference League, while Addis’ penalty kick to restore Cliftonville’s advantage represented the first time the Club had ever netted twice in a European away game.

In between times, however, Keaney had seen red for a foul on Pablo Rodriguez Moreno which, while arguably worthy of a penalty, was perhaps a little harshly punished with a straight dismissal from Norwegian referee Daniel Higraff.

Having converted from the penalty spot on that occasion, Rey also had the contest’s final say with an 82nd minute header to ensure the first leg finished all square.

Cliftonville: Ridd, Pepper, Addis, Wilson (Gordon 32), Kearney, Hale (Stewart 72), Curran (Corrigan 72), Conlan, Gormley, Casey, Keaney. Unused subs: Morrison, Murray, Falls, Leppard, McCay, Glynn, Sheridan.