Assistant Manager Lyttle Attributes Glentoran Defeat to ‘Two Mistakes’

Following a 2-1 defeat to Glentoran at Solitude, which marked Cliftonville’s second consecutive league loss, assistant manager Gerard Lyttle expressed frustration over the team’s failure to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Joe Gormley initially put the Reds ahead during a first half they largely controlled, but a peculiar goal from Glentoran’s goalkeeper Daniel Gyollai resulted in the teams entering halftime with the score tied. In the second half, Danny Amos’ free-kick evaded David Odumosu, and Odhran Casey was subsequently dismissed, contributing to Cliftonville’s second successive league defeat. Speaking to BBC Sport NI, Lyttle stated, “It’s disappointing that two mistakes have cost us the game and second half we weren’t ruthless enough.” He added, “Their only shot [in the second half] is the free-kick so we’re disappointed in how we have lost the game.” Lyttle further commented that the Reds must develop a more clinical approach, noting that missed opportunities have been a consistent issue throughout their inconsistent season. He elaborated, “I thought first half we were magnificent and played them off the park and the disappointing thing was coming in at half-time 1-1 we should have been two or three up and second half we didn’t reach the heights we did in the first half.” He concluded, “It’s been a trend this season we have really dominated games and not take chances and we’ve been hanging on, so we need to put teams to bed quicker and cut out the mistakes.” Additionally, Lyttle voiced criticism regarding referee Tim Marshall’s decision to send off Casey for accumulating two yellow cards. He remarked, “I need to be careful what I say but I thought the officiating today wasn’t to a great standard. I thought it was a bit of common sense, the linesman has put his flag up, but the referee hasn’t blown the whistle, so Odhran Casey played on, and he’s lunged in and the Glentoran players have got him sent off.”