Has Cliftonville's season finally turned a corner?

Published1 hour ago

Cliftonville's recent run of six league defeats with just two goals scored in the process seems like a distant memory now after their emphatic 7-1 victory against Carrick Rangers at Solitude.

The impressive win is the first time that the Reds have scored seven goals in the league in almost 12 years, when they defeated 10-man Ballymena United 7-0 in November 2014, and the side displayed a confidence that has not been on show much this season.

Just two weeks ago, Cliftonville's form was a real concern with manager Jim Magilton under pressure, but now his side have won their past three matches in all competitions and scored 12 goals.

Is this the turning point for the Reds? BBC Sport NI explores some of the signs that it could be the start in a sustained upturn in form.

'So much more to come from Healy' - Magilton

Cliftonville have enjoyed plenty of prolific forwards over recent years with record goalscorer Joe Gormley, Ryan Curran and Liam Boyce among those to have made their mark in north Belfast.

There were hopes that Brian Healy could become the latest name on that list following his January move from H&W Welders, but he struggled to find consistency in his early months at the club.

However, now, he has now scored four goals in his past two games and has shown a confidence and composure that makes him an exciting prospect at the club.

Healy may have had his eyes on the match ball against Carrick after scoring once in each half, but he was substituted on the hour mark with Magilton saying it is key to keep the striker "hungry" ahead of a busy period for the Reds.

"We have a big game Tuesday [against Bangor in the ToalsBet Senior Shield], keep him hungry," Magilton told BBC Radio Ulster's Sportsound.

"During the tough spell there was a lot of criticism both from the outside and inside, but I have great faith in these lads, so it takes time to rebuild, and it takes time for players to settle at a club, particularly a club like ours.

"Brian [Healy] has always had that incredible knack and quality and it was just about giving him that confidence to go and do that and he is repaying that now and there is so much more to come from him."

For Cliftonville, having a confident and in-form Healy leading the line could prove hugely significant as they aim to climb the table.

Goals coming from many sources

Healy's performance was not the only stand-out one, with the overall team display something that will please Magilton.

Man of the match Liam McStravick scored the opening goal and brought pace and creativity to the Reds' attacking play, while captain Rory Hale once again demonstrated his ability to deliver important goals with his second in as many games.

Ben Quinn impressed and netted the Reds’ fourth goal and his fifth of the campaign before Rhyss Campbell also made his mark and proved the impact that substitutes can have with his first goals of the season.

The variety of goalscorers is important as Cliftonville had managed just two goals across their previous six defeats, but now look capable of hurting opponents through multiple sources.

The ruthless win was also Cliftonville's first home victory since 5 September when they beat Portadown, which makes the thrashing even more satisfying for the home support who had endured a frustrating few months with the team guilty of squandering big chances and being left to rue them.

Can they build on momentum?

Magilton's side have not only recovered from a poor spell, but they have done so in style and in different competitions in recent weeks.

They recorded a narrow Shield win over Glentoran, a comfortable League Cup win over Portadown and a tough league win over the Swifts followed by their big home victory against Stephen Baxter's side.

However, how far the Reds' revival will stretch after they jumped up to fifth in the table, will be tested as they face a busy period of fixtures in multiple competitions in the next few weeks.

As mentioned, they take on Bangor on Tuesday in the Shield semi-final, before a quick turnaround for a home Irish Premiership game against defending champions Larne on Friday.

Their six defeats in a row may have had many fans concerned this would be a challenging season, but if the ruthless Reds maintain their promising form, those fears will become a distant memory.

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