Irish League Football

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Bangor assistant John Douglas said he was "really proud" of his players as they held on to beat Coleraine 2-1 despite playing the majority of the second half with 10 men.

The Seasiders raced into a two-goal lead at the break at Clandeboye Park, courtesy of efforts from Jay Boyd and Ben Arthurs.

But, just a few minutes into the second half, Harry Lynch was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card and Zane Okoro then pulled a goal back for the Bannsiders.

Despite relentless Coleraine pressure, Bangor held on for a big win that moves them into the top half of the table.

"I'm delighted for the players, who put in such a shift. First half, I thought we were super, we were fully deserving of the two-goal lead. We then got a man sent off and the character the boys showed to get a result was unbelievable," Douglas told BBC Sport NI.

"Really proud of the players, we know the leaders in that changing room and everyone did their roles to a tee.

"We restricted Coleraine to very few chances with a man less. They had long-range efforts and crosses into the box, and we defended the box really well."

Bannsiders boss Ruaidhri Higgins was left to reflect on a "frustrating" afternoon in which his side failed to really get going and gave away poor goals.

"It's disappointing, we had the majority of the game in their half, but we gave them something to hang on to. We conceded a really poor goal from a set play. Then, they hit us on the counter attack for the second," he said.

"We are giving away too many cheap goals, and we need to eradicate that.

We have had ample opportunities to win the game. We got into so many good areas and hit the woodwork a few times, it's frustrating."

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Both of Friday's Irish Premiership games have now been postponed with confirmation the meeting of Linfield and Crusaders has fallen victim to Storm Amy.

The Windsor Park clash was initially given the all-clear but at 17:30 BST, the Northern Ireland Football League announced the game "has now been postponed following stadium safety concerns raised by the home club".

Linfield also confirmed their game is off "due to health and safety concerns at the stadium".

Earlier on Friday, the NIFL confirmed the fixture between Cliftonville and leaders Glentoran at Solitude - due to be shown live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website - was off off at Glentoran's request "due to several players and staff residing and travelling from an amber warning zone".

The revised plan to broadcast the Linfield v Crusaders game has now also fallen victim to the weather.

The Women's Premiership game between Lisburn Ladies and Crusaders has also been called off.

There is an amber warning for high winds in parts of Northern Ireland, issued due to the arrival of Storm Amy.

The remaining weekend fixtures will be assessed on Saturday.

Earlier on Friday, Derry City's League of Ireland Premier Division game against Sligo Rovers at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium was rescheduled for Sunday, 5 October at 16:00 BST.

The teams were due to meet on Friday evening, but a decision to reschedule due to the storm was taken in conjunction with the local council, police force and both clubs.

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Linfield have reached the second round of the BetMcLean Cup with a 2-0 win over Queen's University at Windsor Park.

Chris McKee, who had an early effort ruled out, opened the scoring when he headed home Charlie Allen's cross in the 18th minute.

Queen's University, who have impressed since they earned promotion to the Championship, had a chance to equalise when Tommy Smyth's header forced David Walsh into a save.

McKee struck the woodwork shortly before the interval but Matt Yates added a second for David Healy's side in the 51st minute from Sam Taylor's cross.

Holders Cliftonville take on Coagh United in one of 14 first round ties on Tuesday, 7 October, while Ards' tie with Dungannon Swifts completes the last 32 on Wednesday, 8 October.

In a change for this year's competition, the winners of the BetMcLean Cup will automatically go into the Irish Premiership's European play-off final from next season.

First round fixtures

Tuesday, 30 September

Linfield 2-0 Queen's University

Tuesday, 7 October

Armagh City v Carrick Rangers

Ballymena United v Ballinamallard United

Bangor v Lisburn Distillery

Cliftonville v Coagh United

Crusaders v Ballymacash Rangers

Dergview v Larne

Dollingstown v Coleraine

H&W Welders v Dundela

Institute v Glentoran

Loughgall v Strabane Athletic

Moyola Park v Annagh United

Newington v Limavady United

Newry City v Portadown

Warrenpoint Town v Glenavon

Wednesday, 8 October

Ards v Dungannon Swifts

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Striker Davy McDaid and defender Niall Quinn will form part of Glenavon's interim management team, the club have announced.

The Lurgan Blues parted ways with boss Paddy McLaughlin on Sunday following a poor start to the season that has left them bottom of the table and winless in their first nine games.

Members of McLaughlin's coaching staff, including Colin Coates, have also departed the club following his dismissal.

In a statement on Wednesday, the club confirmed that McDaid and Quinn, along with coaches Tim Lennon and Ryan Prentice, will form the interim management team for their game against rivals Portadown on Saturday at Shamrock Park.

Glenavon chairman Stephen Best added that the board "will choose carefully" when appointing their next manager after inviting applications for the role on Monday.

"For the record the Glenavon board of directors met after the game on Saturday against Crusaders," he said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, due to poor performances the board decided it was now time for a change of management team.

"We thank Paddy and his staff for their efforts and wish them well for the future.

"The decision about who will be the new manager is important, and the board will carefully choose the best candidate who applies.

"Glenavon needs the support of the fans more than ever. The players need to hear that support on match day.

"It is a massive game against Portadown at Shamrock Park this weekend. No better place to kick off a run of good results."

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Glentoran returned to the top of the Women's Premiership table as they eased to an 8-1 win against Lisburn Rangers at the Blanchflower Stadium on Sunday.

In their first game of the split, the Glens went ahead on 20 minutes as Emily Wilson stroked low into the corner after a lay off from Nadene Caldwell.

Kascie Weir doubled their advantage 11 minutes later as she steered home a header from a Jenna McKearney cross.

Wilson got her second and Glentoran's third as she tucked home after latching onto Faye Loughran's delivery.

Weir netted again two minutes later before Wilson completed her hat-trick in style before the break.

Weir netted her third soon after the restart before Helen Parker scored a consolation goal for the visitors.

A late double from Mia Moore rounded off the ruthless victory for Kim Turner's side, who are now two points ahead of Cliftonville with two games remaining.

Glentoran face rivals Linfield next before a final day showdown with the Reds, in what could be a winner takes all game.

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Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree praised his side's togetherness as they picked up a 2-0 win against Ballymena United at the Showgrounds.

A fine strike from Bobby-Jack McAleese from outside the box and an own goal from Kym Nelson helped the Swifts to the win, despite Junior missing a penalty.

And McAree was delighted with the clean sheet and for his side to record back-to-back league wins for the first time this season.

"I thought we were very good in the first half, we used the ball well and I was very happy. Second half, we could have been better, but we were disciplined, kept a clean sheet and got the three points," he said.

"We missed a penalty, but we came together, and we saw the game out," he added.

"It is a hell of a lot better than the early stages of the season. It is a start; we want to string results together and lift the mood. It is nice to hear a little bit of celebrating in the changing room."

Ballymena boss Jim Ervin was left to rue some poor defending as his side suffered a disappointing home defeat, following last week's frustrating 1-1 draw against Crusaders.

"When you look at the manner of the two goals, they are very soft. We gifted them two goals," he said.

"We put plenty of balls in the box and we said at half-time make sure you get bodies in there, but we didn't get enough in there to challenge for first and second balls.

"When we do training every week boys are very happy to challenge for balls in the box but come Saturday, they hang out, so it is frustrating.

"I was looking a reaction to last Saturday and there were too many that didn't give it. We got plenty of plaudits when we beat Linfield here 10 days ago but that is two poor performances, so you have to take the criticism."

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Coleraine boss Ruaidhri Higgins said he was delighted that his side "found a way to win" as they came from behind to defeat Carrick Rangers at the Showgrounds.

The Bannsiders fell behind to Ryan Waide's opener but then levelled through Zane Okoro's first goal for the club.

Joel Cooper then capped off a fine team move to ensure Coleraine bounced back from last week's defeat against Glentoran by picking up the win which moves them a point behind the Glens.

"The most pleasing thing about it for me was we went a goal down, but we managed to find a way," he told BBC Sport NI.

"The equalising goal, it was a great pass from Levi (Ives) to Zane and the second goal was a brilliant team goal.

"We weren't at our best, but we found a way to win which is the most important thing after a defeat.

"Today wasn't overly free flowing but we dug in, the players showed character. We needed to bounce back against a good team, so it is a big win."

Carrick boss Stephen Baxter, whilst frustrated that his side left the Showgrounds empty handed, was delighted that they ran the Bannsiders close.

It was a brilliant performance from us, we were more than a match, and we have pushed this Coleraine team," he said.

"Sometimes you need that little bit of luck and we didn't get it, but in such a short space of time to have your team playing like this away from home, you can be disappointed with the result, but not the performance."

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Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton was left to bemoan some poor defending as his side suffered a last gasp 2-1 defeat against Portadown at Solitude.

Odhran Casey thought he had cancelled out Eamon Fyfe's opener to rescue a late point for the Reds when he headed home an equaliser on 90 minutes.

But the midfielder then squandered possession on the halfway line in the 96th minute, which allowed James Teelan to race through and score a late winner.

"The first goal was poor, our organisation was poor," he said.

"We pressed, we tried to win the game at home, but again, we were all over the place organisationally. They set up to counter attack, executed it really well, and they leave with three points."

Whilst Magilton said Casey was "outstanding" he conceded that his late error ultimately cost Cliftonville.

"It's in his nature. His instinct is to go and win the game or try to. Yes, it was loose, but that was his mindset (to win the game)," he added.

"We still needed to be better organised. It was a bit scrappy, and we paid the penalty. You can't fault Odhran Casey's determination to try and win; it was just a poor decision on his part.

"He didn't make many bad decisions on the day, but unfortunately, that one was crucial."

The Reds have now slipped to back-to-back league defeats after a recent upturn in form and Magilton says he demands more from his players, who struggled in possession.

"It's down to fear. I think Portadown gave us enough opportunities to play, but when players don't have the confidence to take it, or they're careless with the ball, it affects us and spreads through the team.

"As a result, people tend to hide. We've got to regroup. At the end of the day, we must accept the criticism. I'm the manager, I pick the team, so I take responsibility and will try to rally the players."

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Glenavon assistant manager Colin Coates said his side "didn't look like scoring" in their 2-0 defeat against Crusaders at Mourneview Park.

Goals from Adam Brooks and Lloyd Anderson condemned the Lurgan Blues to a ninth straight league defeat.

They sit bottom of the table and Coates admits the mood is low around the club given their difficult start.

"It was poor all over the pitch, not what we were looking for in terms of energy and drive," he told BBC Sport NI.

"Too many players had an off day; we carried too many and that has been the story of our season.

"We didn't look like scoring; we didn't deserve anything from the game. It is back to the drawing board we will take a long hard look at ourselves as staff and players to see how we can dig ourselves out of this hole."

A number of fans voiced their displeasure with Coates and manager McLaughlin at the end of the game, but the former defender is confident they can turn things around.

"Confidence is low as you would expect. We need to identify boys who are up for the fight, but we'll keep going," he added.

"They're [the fans] entitled to their opinion, there is no doubt about that. We'll always take the praise when things are going well, but when they aren't you have to take the criticism, and we are big enough to take it, and it is up to us to find solutions."

Crusaders boss Declan Caddell expressed his delight with the routine victory amidst an injury crisis at the club.

"We have 10 players out injured and as you can see from the starting team and the bench, we were really young, so it was a difficult week in terms of preparation and getting bodies right," said.

"Over the 90 minutes we were the better team, created more clear-cut chances, scored two and might have scored a few more."

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Glentoran manager Declan Devine feels the officials "made the right call" to postpone his side's hosting of Larne because of a waterlogged pitch.

The meeting at the Oval on Saturday was to bring first against second in the Irish Premiership head-to-head but heavy rain in Belfast saw the game called off less than an hour before kick-off.

"It's certainly a downer on a Saturday when you don't have a game and you're so prepared for it but, it is what it is," said Devine.

"I think the referees have probably made the right call."

The Glens were coming into the game off the back of an impressive win away to Coleraine last week and Devine was keen for his side to get the opportunity to extend their unbeaten start to the season.

"We're gutted to tell you the truth," he added.

"We were ready, we were really looking forward to the game, we had a strong side out on the back of last week. We wanted the momentum to continue.

"The referees have made the call on the safety of the players. There are parts of the pitch which are quite dangerous."

Larne boss Gary Haveron said footing in one section of the playing surface was akin to standing on a waterbed.

"The pitch looks incredible to the naked eye. They've done a first-class job on it," he said.

"They were working really hard to get the surface water off it, but it's underneath.

"It's like standing on a waterbed down in that bottom corner. The ball isn't bouncing.

"It's unfortunate the referees have to come to these decisions, but player safety plays a part. It's just a shame because the rest of the pitch looks so well."