Dramatic comeback win for Linfield

Published Saturday, 22 September 2012

Linfield enjoyed a dramatic comeback against Glenavon and there were wins for joint leaders Cliftonville and Coleraine in Saturday's Danske Bank Premiership games.

Albert Watson heads in to pull a goal back. (© Pacemaker)

PICTURE

GALLERY

David Jeffrey and William Murphy after Saturday's Danske Bank Irish Premiership league game against Glenavon.

Linfield celebrate Daryl Fordyce's late winner.

Linfield's Daryl Fordyce heads wide during Saturday's game at Mourneview.

Daryl Fordyce's last-gasp winner ensured Linfield got back to winning ways, with the Blues coming from two goals down to earn a 3-2 win over Glenavon at Mourneview Park.

Ciaran Doherty had put Glenavon into an early lead when he rounded Linfield stopper Alan Blayney in the third minute, following a superb through ball from Eddie McCallion.

Lurgan Blues player-manager Gary Hamilton doubled his sides advantage in the 30th minute when he finished from close-range after an unselfish pass from Brian McCaul.

However, Albert Watson hauled the Blues back into the game with a fine header in the 61st minute, and Fordyce netted the equaliser ten minutes later with a great finish from outside the box just after his introduction from the bench.

The comeback was complete three minutes into stoppage time when he finished from a Robbie Garrett cross to seal the points for David Jeffrey's side.

Cliftonville maintained their place at the league summit with a thrilling 3-2 win over Portadown at Solitude.

There was a touch of fortune about the opener, as Jody Lynch's 31st minute free kick took a telling deflection en route to goal.

Liam Boyce made it 2-0 with a fine left-footed effort early in the second half, but Portadown fought back with a fantastic goal from Darren Murray, who showed great strength to hold off his marker before firing in a rasping shot from the edge of the box in the 71st minute.

However, Joe Gormley restored the Reds' two-goal advantage when he reacted quickest to Martin Donnelly's header back across goal, and it could have been even worse for Ronnie McFall's side when Chris Casement gave away a penalty for handball, but Ciaran Caldwell's spot-kick was well saved by David Miskelly.

Brian Gartland gave the visitors hope with a late strike, but Sean Mackle's late dismissal for a second yellow card effectively ended their hopes of a comeback.

Coleraine remain level on points with Cliftonville after a 4-1 win over north-west neighbours Ballymena United at the Coleraine Showgrounds.

Darren Boyce netted the opener when he finished from close range after a David Scullion cross in the 40th minute.

Boyce then turned provider to set up Michael Hegarty for a fine finish 11 minutes into the second half, and Scullion found the net soon after to make it 3-0 to the hosts.

It could have gotten even worse for Glenn Ferguson's side when Coleraine were awarded a penalty, but Dwayne Nelson was equal to Curtis Allen's weak effort.

The Sky Blues pulled one back when Gary Thompson netted late on, but Allen made amends for his penalty miss with a late strike to seal an emphatic victory.

Dungannon Swifts produced the upset of the day as they secured an important 2-0 home win over high-flying Crusaders.

The Friars brothers combined for Swifts' opener, with Sean's corner headed home by Emmet in the 39th minute.

With Crusaders pushing for an equaliser, Josh Cahoon made sure of the points when he latched onto Terry Fitzpatrick's neat pass to drill the ball past Sean O'Neill.

Donegal Celtic slumped to their fifth league defeat of the season as Ballinamallard maintained their excellent form since joining the top-flight.

Ryan Campbell opened the scoring for the Mallards on the 20 minute mark when he coolly turned his marker to finish in the bottom corner.

Andy Crawford made it 2-0 with a brilliant individual goal, running through the DC defence to slot past John Connolly.

Substitute Liam Martin sealed the victory when he chipped home in injury time.

Finally Glentoran striker Andy Waterworth continued his rich vein of form with two goals as Eddie Patterson's side secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Lisburn Distillery at the Oval.

Richard Clarke opened the scoring in the final minute of the first half when he was quickest to the rebound after an initial shot from David Howland.

Waterworth doubled his sides lead with a superb shot from a Jim O'Hanlon cross, and added another when he rounded Whites keeper Lee Windrum a minute from time.