Ken Garrett previews Cliftonville game

Submitted : 14th September 2012 at 10:26:17 PM

Cliftonville are the welcome visitors to Windsor Park on match day seven of the Danske Bank Premiership (3pm ko). In the corresponding fixture last season Linfield ran out comfortable winners with a 4-1 victory.

Last Saturday's two headed goals from Winkie Murphy provided the platform for a well deserved Linfield win at Portadown (4-2). Along with his goals, the big man belied his veteran status and gave a near perfect master class in the art of central defending. Further goals from Casement (og) and Ryan Henderson who rifled home a generous accidental ricochet off the referee, sealed the win against a Portadown side whose failure to defend at set pieces must be a worry for manager Ronnie McFall.

Cliftonville's short reign at the top of the table was brought to an abrupt end by league newcomers Ballinamallard who left Solitude with all three points in a 1-0 victory. Manager Tommy Breslin will be looking for an instant reaction from his players at the national stadium. Unfortunately, the Reds will be without the injured Ronan Scannell who may well now miss the remainder of the season following an Achilles tendon tear. We all of course wish him a full and speedy recovery.

DJ will be keenly aware that Cliftonville are one of the few teams who come to Windsor looking to take the game to Linfield. Hopefully, this positive game plan will be in evidence tomorrow and provide for an entertaining encounter between these two great rivals. COYB!

Ken Garrett