Danske Bank Premiership Round Up 19th March

Crusaders maintained their five-point advantage at the top of the Dankse Bank Premiership table following a comprehensive 4-0 victory away to Carrick Rangers, while nearest challengers Linfield kept up their pursuit of the Crues with a 2-0 victory at Belfast rivals Cliftonville.

Crusaders victory over Carrick was all but sealed in the opening minutes following Jordan Forsythe’s goal after just 20 seconds and Paul Heatley’s fine finish just over a minute later. Heatley added a third on twenty minutes before Billy Joe Burns missed a penalty on 35 minutes following a red card for Carrick keeper James Taylor. The former Glentoran keeper was dismissed for deliberately hitting Kerry native Diarmuid O’Carroll with the ball. The second half was a non event with the Crues only adding one more goal after Jordan Owens shot crashed in off the underside of the bar.

Linfield continued their title charge with a comfortable 2-0 away victory over Cliftonville at Solitude. Jimmy Callagher’s first half goal was added to in the second half by youngster Paul Smyth as the Blues remain on the coattails of Crusaders. Cliftonville’s season has petered out in recent weeks and The Reds slipped to fourth in the table behind Glenavon following Saturday’s defeat.

Glenavon replaced Cliftonville in third place thanks to their late win over Ballinamallard United at Mourneview Park. Player/Manager Gary Hamilton got the winner in stoppage time as the Lurgan Blues continued their recent good form. The Mallards remain in tenth place just two points ahead of the relegation places.

In the bottom half of the table Dungannon Swifts moved up to seventh place following a 1-0 away victory at Coleraine. A spectacular late winner from Matthew Hazely continued their excellent run which has seen them lose only once in their last seven league games. Coleraine remain in fifth position but are only three points behind fourth placed Cliftonville.

Ballymena United continued their revival under new manager David Jeffrey with a 3-1 home victory over bottom side Warrenpoint Town. Johnny McMurray had given ‘Point’ the lead in the first half, but The Braid Men equalised before half time through Allan Jenkins after Warrenpoint defender Stephen Moan had been sent off for a deliberate handball. Despite their numerical advantage Ballymen had to wait until injury time to seal the win when substitute Willie Faulkner netted a quickfire double.

Portadown are still looking nervously over their shoulders at the relegation places after their latest defeat saw them slip to ninth in the table just six points ahead of eleventh place Carrick Rangers. Marcio Soares had given them the perfect start against Glentoran at The Oval scoring inside the opening minute but the home side hit back through a double from Curtis Allen to secure their place in the top six.