Flow standards

Jim Magilton was full of praise for how Cliftonville set about their task in last night’s County Antrim Shield semi-final victory over Ballymena United.

Despite controlling the first-half, the Reds found themselves behind when Success Edogun broke the deadlock against the run of play right on the stroke of the interval for a United side that had earlier hit the post through Matthew Clarke.

The visitors, however, began the second period by levelling with a Jack Keaney header before stepping up their dominance to run out 4-1 winners courtesy of finishes from Joe Gormley and Rory Hale ahead of Keaney sweeping home a free-kick.

“This is notoriously a really difficult place to come,” said Magilton afterwards.

“They put you under lots of pressure but I just thought we controlled the flow right from the first minute of the game, albeit we gave up two opportunities and could have been 2-0 down but we kept our belief and kept passing the ball and created opportunities, which was great. To win in the manner in which we won is really satisfying, so the players deserve all the credit.

“Given the quality they have, you can’t switch off but we did switch off and we got punished, so that was a lesson learnt. Half-time was just about reassuring the players to keep doing what they’re doing but just have a little bit more belief in the final third – and we did that.

“The strength of our game was being able to keep the ball and pass the ball while nullifying their threats and I thought we were outstanding in terms of how we went about our business and to win a semi-final in the manner in which we did is wonderful.”