Dankse Bank Premiership Round Up 27th February

For the second time in three weeks, Linfield missed the opportunity to close the gap on leaders Crusaders at the top of the table after a 1-1 draw with Glenavon at the National Stadium.

In an incident packed game, Linfield took the lead through an Aaron Burns penalty, but were reduced to ten men early in the second half when goalkeeper Ross Glendinning was sent off for a professional foul. Centre back Mark Haughey went into goals and duly saved Kevin Braniff’s poor penalty. However the Lurgan Blues did equalise from the spot soon after, this time Andy McGrory made no mistake from twelve yards. In a thrilling finish both sides had opportunities to win but ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils but the point moves Glenavon up to third in the table on goal difference. 

Leaders Crusaders also had to settle for a 1-1 draw at in form Warrenpoint Town but still maintained their seven-point advantage at the top of the table. The border side took the lead on 72 minutes when Mark Hughes fired past Sean O’Neill. The Crues then had Joshua Robinson sent-off late on for a professional foul but still managed to grab a 92^nd minute equaliser through Diarmuid O’Carroll’s penalty.

Cliftonville suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Coleraine which now leaves them thirteen points behind Crusaders. Coleraine are staring to regain some of their early season form which seen them challenge the leaders at the top of the table. Goals from Rodney Brown, James McLaughlin and Brad Lyons got the goals for the Bannsiders who are now just two points behind Cliftonville in the table. Former Derry City striker David McDaid pulled a goal back for The Reds in stoppage time.

There was another big twist in the battle to avoid relegation, after in form Dungannon Swifts 4-2 victory at Ballymena United. The Swifts moved above the Sky Blues into eighth position with Ballymena now only five points above the relegation play off spot after a fifth consecutive league defeat. Ryan Harpur was the Swifts hero netting a hat trick while Andy Mitchell grabbed the other. David Cushley and Alan Jenkins scored for Ballymena United.

Ballinamallard United secured a vital 1-0 victory over Glentoran at Ferney Park in another incident packed game which saw three players sent-off. Glens keeper Aaron Hogg was dismissed in the 17^th minute for another professional foul, however replacement keeper Elliott Morris saved the resultant penalty. The Glens Stephen Gordon and Mallards Johnny Lafferty were sent off for a clash just before half time and The Mallards made their extra man advantage count in the second half when Adam Lecky grabbed the winner.

The remaining game of the day saw Portadown and Carrick Rangers draw 0-0 at Shamrock Park. The Ports had Tim Mouncey sent-off in the first but bottom side Carrick were unable to make their advantage count and remain two points adrift  although they do have two games in hand on eleventh placed Warrenpoint Town.