NI Premiership Round-up - Week 3
Credit:
Game of the week in the Danske Bank Irish Premiership was undoubtedly at Portadown where Coleraine recovered from three-nil down to snatch a dramatic victory and move to the outright lead in the league standings.
Goals from Joe McNeill, Kevin Braniff and Sean Mackie had seen Portadown cruise to a three goal lead after an hour, but Coleraine scored four times in an astonishing last twenty minutes with Mark Gillian netting an injury time winner to send the Bannsiders to the summit after three games played.
Ballinamallard United are in second place after their unbeaten start to the season continued with an uneventful goalless draw against Ballymena United, who are in fourth spot on goal difference and also yet to suffer defeat in this year’s campaign.
In the Belfast derby played at Solitude, Cliftonville held cross-city rivals Glentoran to a one-all draw despite being forced to play the vast majority of the game with ten men after Barry Holland was dismissed in the fourteenth minute when he hauled down Andrew Waterworth when the Glens striker was through on goal.
The Reds recovered to take the lead through Joe Gormley on 22 minutes but Stephen Carson volleyed an equaliser for the visitors with twenty minutes remaining but they failed to find a winner despite some late pressure.
This was Glentoran’s second 1-1 draw in succession and leaves the east Belfast side in third spot as they gear up for next week’s game against fierce rivals, Linfield.
The champions finally discovered their scoring boots against Donegal Celtic after going six competitive games without hitting the net in all competitions.
Peter Thompson scored two second half goals for Linfield as they easily saw off Celtic, who also suffered the ignominy of exiting the League Cup to Championship side, HW Welders.
Lisburn Distillery are rooted to the foot of the Premiership with no points after three games while Dungannon Swifts joined a host of club on five points when they recorded a 1-0 victory away at Glenavon.
