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“It is vital that we do not drop points on Saturday” Stevie Moan Feb 14, 2018

Cliftonville Home

We started off the game slow and Cliftonville got off to a good start with two quick-fire goals. Their first goal came when we failed to clear the ball and their man got to the second ball first and scored with a good finish. Shortly after they got their second from a mistake at the back gifted the ball to our former play Mc Donald who slotted it into the bottom corner. I believe that both goals could have been avoided. We got one back before half time, when TJ Murray hit a great ball over the top to Marty Murray who delightfully dinked the ball over the keeper’s head and into the net. After this goal we started to play better football and created a few chances. Mackle had a 30-yard strike which dipped the keeper who was of his line, but he gets a strong hand to it to push it over the bar. We conceded a third when we lost possession from our throw-in and Jonny Parr was unlucky to parry the ball off the inside of the post. Alan Davidson came of injured in the first and Marty Murray early in the second half. Both players where significantly missed in the second half. We went close to getting another goal a few times in the second half. Overall, we played some good football, but we got punished when we were sloppy in possession. We need to be more alert and react quicker all over the pitch as you will always get punished in this league. We can’t afford to gift teams with goals.

 

We now must turn our attention towards Saturdays game against Carrick Rangers. This is a massive game and could be vital for us staying up this season. Carrick Rangers are currently 4 points behind us, so it is crucial that we do not drop points. We have already met Carrick on two occasions this season and we have won one and drew in the other game. The last time we travelled to the Loughshore Hotel Arena we won 2-0. Hopefully we can play the same sort of football this time around and come away with the win. It is important for us to get good training and good recovery in as this will be our second match of the week.