Premiership

DANSKE BANK PREMIERSHIP: 16th OCTOBER RECAP

16 Oct 2021
football
© Declan Roughan/INPHO Steven Ball and Matthew Green in action at Milltown

The latest weekend of Danske Bank Premiership action produced victories for Cliftonville, Linfield, Ballymena United and Glenavon whilst it finished all square between Glentoran and Coleraine at The Oval.

Cliftonville stay top of the table - and maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign - with a 2-1 defeat of Larne at Solitude.

Both Reds goals came from Rory Hale, with the opener arriving on ten minutes with a first time volley past Rohan Ferguson and the second just after the hour with a header from Jamie McDonagh's cross. Larne had levelled through David McDaid late in the first half.

Linfield are the only other unbeaten side, and the Blues moved into second spot after a comfortable three-goal victory away to Warrenpoint Town.

All the goals came in the opening half-an-hour or so. Chris Shields knocked home a penalty after 15 minutes, Kirk Millar added a second on 28 minutes before Christy Manzinga killed the game off just four minutes after that.

Glentoran and Coleraine shared the spoils in the evening streamed game at The Oval.

Conor McKendry edged the Bannsiders in front after a quarter-of-an-hour, a lead they held until Jay Donnelly struck twice inside nine minutes early in the second half before Cathair Friel levelled with ten minutes remaining.

Matthew Fitzpatrick hit two goals as Glenavon defeated Dungannon Swifts 4-2 at Mourneview Park. Mark Stafford opened the scoring on 12 minutes before Ryan Mayse levelled for the visitors soon after.

Fitzpatrick restored Glenavon's lead on 22 minutes, and added another early in the second half with Peter Campbell also getting on the scoresheet on the hour. Darragh McBrien bagged a late consolation for the Swifts.

Meanwhile, at Shamrock Park, Ballymena United needed an Andy McGrory 77th minute strike to record a first away win of the league campaign against a Portadown side that finished with nine men.