Toal’s County Antrim Shield semi-final

Cliftonville 3-0 Bangor

THREE first half goals inside of half an hour saw Cliftonville book their place in the Toals County Antrim Shield Final for a second consecutive season after a 3-0 win over Bangor in Tuesday evenings semi final at Solitude.

Joe Sheridan lashed in the opener inside of a quarter of an hour and on-loan defender Ollie Samuels doubled his side's lead midway through the half.

The game was finished as a contest when Brian Healy shot home from close range in the 27th minute as Jim Magilton’s side made it five wins from six in all competitions and booked their place in January’s decider.

The Reds boss named an unchanged side from Saturday's comfortable 7-1 win over Carrick Rangers.

Cliftonville carved out the game's first real opportunity when Brian Healy was slipped through on goal, though Patrick Solis Grogan got a strong hand to his shot and the loose ball was scrambled clear.

The opening goal arrived after 11 minutes when Ben Quinn played a pass across the face of goal and Joe Sheridan turned and lashed past Grogan.

Midway through the half the Reds doubled their advantage through on-loan Ollie Samuels who crashed a shot home from the edge of the box to score his first goal since his summer arrival.

Bangor almost pulled a goal back when a free-kick was floated into the back post and Oisin Devlin’s header was clawed away by PJ Morrison.

Instead Cliftonville extended their lead a few minutes shy of the half hour mark. In-form striker Brian Healy had the simplest of tasks in rolling home from close range in the process,  scoring his eighth goal in the past five games.

Further goals could have followed. A fine flowing move saw Liam McStravick slip the ball to Sheridan and his precise pass sent Ben Quinn through but his shot across the face of goal flashed wide.

Sheridan then threaded Brian Healy up though Patrick Solis Grogan dealt with his effort. Sixty seconds later Ben Quinn charged through and was denied by Grogan with Healy picking the loose ball and taking aim with a shot that was cleared on the line by Harry Lynch.

Just before the break PJ Morrison needed to be alert and stood tall to block down Lucas McRoberts as the hosts went to the break with a commanding 3-0 lead.

Cliftonville should have increased their lead in the early stages of the second half, Brian Healy cut back for half time substitute Rhyss Campbell whose shot was deflected behind for a corner.

Rory Hale’s delivery was perfect and was met by Joel Thompson who headed a matter of inches over the bar.

Patrick Solis Grogan was called into action on a few occasions, with just over a quarter of an hour remaining he denied Ryan Corrigan after a neat one-two with Campbell.

At the other end Steven McCullough flashed a shot past the post as Bangor sought a consolation.

Joe Gormley should have got in on the act after chasing down a through ball and heading for goal, but his dinked effort hit the outside of the post.

In the end the three first half goals were the difference as the Reds progressed to the final for the second year in a row.

Magilton was pleased that their momentum of late continued and was impressed with some of their play throughout.

“We just forwarded momentum and continued that momentum into the game tonight from Saturday,” he reflected.

“I thought some of our play was really good. Scored good goals. We knew that Bangor were going to carry a threat, especially after a fantastic result on Saturday so it was important that we set the tone early and we did.

“We kept it going, and it’s all important to do that. When you score it makes life slightly easier for you. You’re always conscious that you might concede a goal given our track record, but tonight was fantastic. It was a great result, it is a semi final and we’re into another final so that’s great."

CLIFTONVILLE:  Morrison, Wightman, McClelland, Bannon, Samuels, McMaster (Thompson 46’), Hale (Stanfield 71’), Sheridan, Quinn (Campbell 46’), Healy (Corrigan 62’), McStravick (Gormley 62’).

BANGOR: Solis Grogan, C McGuinness (Strachan 46’), Neale (S McGuinness 79’), Francis, Lynch, Hassin, Mulvenna (Mitchell 46’), McCullough, O’Mahony (Hughes 46’), Devlin (Cushnie 46’), McRoberts.

REFEREE: Steven Gregg