Cliftonville Starts Strong with 2-1 Win Over Crusaders in Season Opener
Cliftonville marked a successful start to the Irish Premiership season by defeating their north Belfast rivals, Crusaders, 2-1. The match showcased the immediate impact of Cliftonville’s new signings, as they took control right from the start.
Ben Quinn, who recently joined the team from Portadown, opened the scoring for Cliftonville with a close-range finish just 11 minutes into the match. His contribution immediately set the tone for the Reds, who continued to pressure their opponents.
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Cliftonville’s second goal came in the second half from another debutant, former Airdrieonians midfielder Dean McMaster. He expertly curled a free kick into the bottom corner, doubling Cliftonville’s lead and putting them in a strong position.
Although Crusaders managed to pull one back in stoppage time with a goal from substitute Elliot Dunlop, it wasn’t sufficient to turn the tide. The Reds secured the full three points and demonstrated their early season form.
Jim Magilton, Cliftonville’s manager, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance. “On the balance of the play we controlled large parts of the game. They were always a threat on the counter attack, even at the death,” he commented. “It’s the first game of the season; we played well and looked a threat. That was the pleasing aspect. We can do better, but I’m delighted with the result.”
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In a frenzied opening period, Cliftonville quickly took the initiative. Rhyss Campbell’s low cross set up Quinn for the first goal. As the half progressed, Crusaders began to regain composure, with Finley Thorndike testing Cliftonville’s keeper, PJ Morrison, who managed to save his shot.
Cliftonville looked to extend their lead before the half-time whistle. Ollie Samuels created a chance with a cross that nearly fell for Rory Hale but was effectively blocked by Crusaders’ skipper, Robbie Weir.
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The second half saw more chances for Cliftonville. Hale exchanged passes with Quinn, only to see his shot narrowly miss the target. A potential goal from Healy was disallowed for offside, showing the Reds’ dominant attacking intent.
The pivotal moment came on 63 minutes when Harry Wilson was fouled just outside the penalty area, leading to McMaster’s stunning free-kick, bringing Cliftonville’s tally to two.
Crusaders pressed for an equaliser in the closing minutes, and Dunlop’s late goal offered a flicker of hope, but time ran out for the Shore Road side.
Despite the defeat, Crusaders’ manager Declan Caddell found some positives in the performance. “Some of our attacking play was really good, but we switched off twice. The goals we conceded were poor and it cost us,” he stated. “We threw everything at it in the last 10 or 15 minutes. It’s the first game; there are things to work on, and we’ll look forward to a home game against Ballymena United on Saturday.”
Irish Premiership
Cliftonville 2 – 1 Crusaders FT
Cliftonville’s new signings made an immediate impact as the Reds beat north Belfast rivals Crusaders 2-1 in the Irish Premiership season opener.
Ben Quinn, a summer arrival from Portadown, gave Jim Magilton’s side an early lead with a close-range finish.
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Another debutant, former Airdrieonians midfielder Dean McMaster, notched Cliftonville’s second with a neat free kick in the second period.
Crusaders pulled a goal back through substitute Elliot Dunlop in stoppage time, but it was not enough to prevent Cliftonville from claiming three points.
“On the balance of the play we controlled large parts of the game. They were always a threat on the counter attack, even at the death,” Jim Magilton said.
“You can’t switch off and we did and got punished. It’s the first game of the season, we played well and we looked a threat.
“That was the pleasing aspect. We can do better but I’m delighted with the result.”
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Reds secure derby bragging rights
In a typically frantic opening, it was Cliftonville who struck first on 11 minutes. Rhyss Campbell fired over a low cross from the left which rolled across the face of goal where the inrushing Quinn was on hand to convert.
Crusaders slowly began to play their way back into their game with Finley Thorndike’s shot being gathered at the second attempt by PJ Morrison, while the Scottish keeper was also equal to Harry Jewitt-White’s first-time effort.
The home side came close to doubling their advantage just short of 30 minutes when Ollie Samuels’ cross from the left was only half-cleared by Robbie Weir, but the Crusaders skipper recovered to block Rory Hale’s shot behind for a corner.
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Cliftonville threatened again as goalscorer Quinn dug out a cross from the right which Brian Healy met with his head, but Crusaders goalkeeper Shea Callister was able to spring across his goal to grasp the ball.
In the second period, Hale exchanged passes with Quinn before the Cliftonville skipper fired an angled shot narrowly wide, while Healy had a headed effort ruled off for offside from a Hale cross.
The home side eventually doubled their tally on 63 minutes after Harry Wilson was brought down just outside the penalty area and Dean McMaster curled the resultant fre- kick into the bottom corner of the net.
Crusaders pulled a goal back in stoppage time when Dunlop latched onto a knockdown to fire a shot high into the roof of the net but there was no time for the Shore Road side to force an equaliser.
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Crusaders manager Declan Caddell said there were “some positives” despite the opening-day defeat.
“Some of our attacking play was really good, but we switched off twice. The goals we conceded were poor and it cost us,” he said.
“We threw everything at it in the last 10 or 15 minutes in the game. It’s the first game, there’s things to work on and we’ll look forward to a home game [against Ballymena United on Saturday].”
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