Premiership

A CHANGE AT THE TOP

29 Jan 2022
football
© Jonathan Porter/INPHO

Glentoran are the new leaders following another afternoon of action that produced the usual thrills and spills in the Danske Bank Premiership.

The Glens moved into top spot following a narrow victory over bottom club Warrenpoint Town at the BetMcLean Oval. The only goal of the game came late in the first half courtesy of Robbie McDaid's downward header past impressive 'Point keeper Stephen McMullan.

That win, coupled with morning leaders Linfield going down by three clear goals away to Coleraine, moved Mick McDermott's side into pole position with a two point cushion.

The Blues fell behind after just 11 minutes when Lyndon Kane converted from the spot, with Matthew Shevlin adding a second for the Bannsiders with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining. Jamie Glackin then made sure of the win for Coleraine when, on the counter attack, he knocked home number three with five minutes to go.

Larne hit four goals with reply past Portadown in the evening kick-off at Inver Park. Lee Bonis bagged two goals against his old club - playing under new boss Paul Doolin for the first time - with Kofi Balmer and Navid Nasseri also finding the net.

Rhyss Marshall also hit two goals as Dungannon Swifts got past Carrick Rangers in an entertaining clash at Stangmore Park. Marshall twice gave the Swifts the lead - once in each half - but twice the visitors levelled within minutes. However, there was no way back for Stuart King's side when Darragh McBrien knocked home the winner with nine minutes to go.

Meanwhile, a Peter Campbell goal after just seven minutes was enough to see Glenavon defeat Crusaders at Seaview while, on Friday night, Jamie McDonagh hit two spectacular goals to fire Cliftonville into a commanding lead away to Ballymena United before the Sky Blues hit back late in the game through Leroy Millar and a stoppage time Paul McElroy spot-kick.