Frizzell Scores Linfield's Equaliser at Inver Park
Larne maintained their position at the top of the Irish Premiership, extending their lead by a single point following a 1-1 draw against Linfield at Inver Park.
Leroy Millar opened the scoring for the leaders in the first half, but Linfield responded after the break with Adam Frizzell netting an equaliser. Later in the match, Millar received a red card.
This result leaves Gary Haveron's team, who have not won in their last four league matches, holding a three-point lead over Coleraine, with Linfield trailing by five points.
Meanwhile, Glentoran reduced the gap to the leaders by securing a 4-0 victory over Cliftonville, with Pad Hoban and Jordan Stewart each scoring twice. This win places Glentoran eight points behind Larne, with two games in hand.
At the bottom of the table, Glenavon earned a 2-2 draw away at Ballymena United. Kian Corbally put the hosts ahead late in the first half, but Paul McGovern equalised shortly after. Nathaniel Ferris gave Glenavon the lead in the second half, only for Sean Murray to level the score, resulting in a draw.
Frizzell Secures Draw for Linfield
Larne took the lead in the 13th minute. After Rohan Ferguson made an impressive save to deny Kirk Millar, Larne quickly countered. Leroy Millar was played through by Matty Lusty and calmly finished past the advancing Chris Johns.
Following the goal, Linfield created several chances, notably Kyle McClean's low volley which was well saved, and Millar's back-post header that lacked power. Larne's Matt Ridley also came close with a header just wide from a Chris Gallagher corner.
David Healy introduced Adam Frizzell at halftime, an inspired substitution as Frizzell appeared to get the final touch on a Sam Taylor corner to level the score, though it might have been recorded as an own goal.
The match became increasingly physical and fragmented, with referee Chris Morrison issuing numerous free-kicks.
The tension peaked in the 80th minute when Leroy Millar was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Ethan McGee.
Linfield's best chance to win came from another Frizzell volley, but his looping effort dipped too late to trouble Ferguson, and the match ended in a draw at Inver Park.
Glens Produce Second Half Solitude Blitz
The first half at Solitude was relatively quiet. Glentoran's Ryan Cooney came close with a 25-yard curling shot that was saved by Lewis Ridd.
Glentoran continued to threaten from set pieces, with MJ Kamson Kamara meeting a Danny Amos corner but failing to find the target. Pat Hoban then outmuscled Shaun Leppard and raced through on goal, only for Cliftonville goalkeeper Ridd to make a crucial save.
After the break, Glentoran maintained pressure. Ross Clarke cut in from the right and exchanged passes with Aaron McEneff before his 20-yard shot was tipped behind by Ridd.
The breakthrough came shortly after the hour mark when Pat Hoban calmly converted a penalty awarded after Joe Toole's high challenge on Aaron McEneff prompted referee Tim Marshall to point to the spot.
Glentoran doubled their lead midway through the second half as MJ Kamson Kamara redirected Ryan Cooney's corner to substitute Jordan Stewart, who headed home from close range.
Five minutes later, Stewart secured the victory by curling a shot into the far bottom corner after receiving possession from McEneff unchallenged.
In injury time, Hoban completed his hat-trick by capitalizing on a defensive error from Cliftonville to score his 19th league goal of the season.
Ballymena and Glenavon Share the Spoils
Ballymena started strongly, with Kian Corbally's pass splitting Glenavon's defence early on. However, keeper Jacob Carney quickly blocked Success Edogun's shot.
Glenavon's best first-half chance came when full-back Paddy Burns crossed from the left, and Paul McGovern's glancing header narrowly missed the target.
Ballymena took the lead just before halftime when Matthew Clarke reached the bye-line and delivered a cross. David Toure headed the ball back across goal, allowing Kian Corbally to score with a close-range header.
Glenavon equalised in first-half injury time. Paul McGovern calmly drilled a low shot through a crowd of players after Ballymena keeper Brad Wade had saved several attempts.
Ballymena appeared to score again before halftime, but Aaron Jarvis' finish from a Dylan McGeouch free kick was disallowed for offside.
In the second half, Glenavon took the lead on 57 minutes following a quick break. Luke McGerrigan fed Peter Campbell, whose low curling shot was eventually finished by Nathaniel Ferris.
Ballymena responded on 62 minutes when substitute Sean Murray's low shot, aided by deflections, found the net past Carney.
Glenavon nearly secured a late winner when Ferris' low shot was cleared off the line by Ballymena defender Daithi McCallion.
