Jonny Addis and Jack Keaney found the net as Cliftonville claimed three welcome points against Dungannon Swifts at Solitude this afternoon.
After a cagey first-half during which PJ Morrison’s save from Cahal McGinty was the only real incident of note, the Reds began the second period with purpose and were rewarded when Addis headed in the opener.
Defensive colleague Keaney then doubled Cliftonville’s advantage with a free-kick before the pair combined to ensure the clean sheet that denied Dungannon an avenue back into the game.
Having made a number of changes for the midweek BetMcLean Cup victory over Strabane Athletic, Jim Magilton reverted to the XI that drew with Linfield last Sunday but the team got off to a slow start, during which Morrison denied McGinty as well as turning Kealan Dillon’s free-kick over the bar.
In between times, Ryan Curran drew a smart save from Declan Dunne, who also fielded a Joe Sheridan attempt after a lightning-fast breakaway from Eric McWoods.
The Reds found greater rhythm in the second period and, after Curran headed wide from Tom Lavery’s cross, a Sheridan shot was deflected behind for the corner that led to the opening goal; Odhran Casey heading goalwards and Addis flicking it on, with McWoods’ presence causing hesitation among the Dungannon backline as the ball bounced into the net.
McWoods almost made it 2-0 straight from the restart but, after being played in by Rory Hale, he curled his low effort just wide of the post.
With just over 20 minutes to play, a foul on Sheridan led to a free-kick on the edge of the box, with Keaney stepping up to leave Dunne flat footed as he made it 2-0.
Substitute Joe Gormley had an attempt deflected behind and Conor Falls was unfortunate to see a ball fizzed across the face of goal without any takers in the middle as Cliftonville recorded a well earned three points.
Cliftonville: Morrison, Lavery, Addis, Wilson, Hale, Curran (Falls, 87 mins), Casey (Leppard, 81 mins), Keaney, McWoods (Gormley, 73 mins), Hawthorne, Sheridan (Pepper, 87 mins). Unused subs: Ridd, Gordon, Glynn.