Gormley hat-trick hero for Reds as Ports win derby

Cliftonville's Joe Gormley and Portadown's Ahu Obhakhan were on target for their teams

Joe Gormley's hat-trick helped second-placed Cliftonville beat Loughgall 4-0 on Saturday and move to within five points of Irish Premiership leaders Linfield.

Rory Hale was the other goalscorer for the Reds as they condemned the league's basement side to a third consecutive defeat.

Abu Obhakhan's early strike gave Portadown a 1-0 victory over Glenavon in the Mid Ulster derby, Niall Currie's men now up to fourth as they remain unbeaten in five outings.

The result makes it seven top flight games without a win for the Lurgan Blues, who had Paddy McLaughlin in charge for the first time in the Premiership following his appointment last weekend.

James Knowles was the matchwinner in Dungannon Swifts' 1-0 success at Carrick Rangers, with Rodney McAree's side elevating themselves to third in the standings.

Saturday's scheduled meeting of Ballymena United and Larne at the Showgrounds was called off because of a waterlogged pitch while Coleraine host Crusaders in the final fixture of the weekend at 12:30 GMT on Sunday.

Reds get back to winning ways

Cliftonville maintained their dominance in fixtures against Loughgall with a 10th win in their last 13 meetings.

Gormley broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute, firing straight down the middle after Tiernan Kelly's clumsy challenge on the enterprising Michael Glynn.

Gormley showcased his predatory instincts to double the hosts' advantage in the 56th minute, executing an exquisite chip over Nathan Gartside after racing onto Glynn's defence-splitting pass before completing his treble with a clinical edge-of-the-box finish 10 minutes later.

Hale put the gloss on a dominant display with his first league goal of the season, converting from close range following a mature contribution from promising 15-year-old academy graduate Coran Madden.

The margin of victory could have been even more emphatic but for former Cliftonville goalkeeper Gartside, who produced a string of impressive saves, including a spectacular stop to deny Hale in the 18th minute.

Jim Magilton's men responded emphatically to last week's setback against Ballymena United but the result leaves Dean Smith's charges anchored to the foot of the table, with their defensive frailties again exposed at Solitude.

Ports secure derby triumph

Aaron McCarey made a fingertip save to deflect James Doona's strike from range over the crossbar in the opening few minutes at Shamrock Park.

However, it was the home side who grabbed an early goal when Glenavon failed to clear McCarey’s goal-kick and the ball eventually falling to Eamon Fyfe, who flicked across to Obhakhan, whose low strike found the bottom corner.

As the half went on, the chances were few and far between with the next big opportunity coming after the restart when Callum Birney headed Keith Ward's corner towards goal, forcing McCarey to produce an impressive reflex save.

Portadown had a huge opportunity to give themselves a more comfortable lead on the 65th minute when Lewis MacKinnon did well to win back possession in midfield and find Ryan Mayse, whose delivery to the back post wasn't converted by Ben Wylie.

McCarey was called into action once again to guide Jack Malone's free-kick over the crossbar with the away side finding the back of the net through the resulting corner, but James Carroll was offside when he fired home Malone’s delivery.

Swifts edge Carrick with late goal

The first half at Taylors Avenue produced precious few opportunities with each side’s best effort coming in the last five minutes of the period.

First, on 40 minutes, Dungannon’s Kaelan Dillon charged through with the ball before unleashing a low drive from the edge of the area, but Ross Glendinning in goal saved well for Rangers.

Then, on the stroke of half-time, an overhead flick from Emmet McGuckin sent Danny Gibson clear but he could only drive his effort wide of the near post as the opening 45 minutes ended goalless.

The second half became a war of attrition as both sides pushed for a winner but each struggling to test the opposing keeper.

The hosts did go close on the hour mark, when Joe Crowe played a long ball downfield which was gathered by Paul Heatley, who controlled before getting an effort away from the edge of the area.

However, the ball not only beat Declan Dunne in goal but also the far upright as it skipped away for a goal-kick.

Against the run of play it was the visitors who got the goal on 76 minutes.

Josh Andrews fouled Adam Glenny on the edge of the area and up stepped Knowles for the Swifts who curled a low effort towards goal.

The shot seemed innocent enough, but it bounced just in front of Glendinning in goal and the big keeper could only bundle the ball into the inside of the net.

Gibson went close to an equaliser with two minutes remaining but his effort from out left struck the upright and away for a corner as time ran out for the homes side.