By Peter Wilson at Inver Park
Larne swept to victory against Huddersfield Town’s under-19 side as the teams met in a friendly at Inver Park.
David McDaid picked up yet another Man of the Match award as he netted two on the day with Benny Igiehon, Thomas Stewart and Dom Tear, himself on loan from the Premier League outfit, all getting in on the scoring. Larne’s attention now shifts to next week as the team prepare for the Championship title presentation after their home clash with Portadown.
The hosts could have been ahead within the first 10 minutes as Martin Donnelly’s free-kick appeared to heading in but was kept out by a superb save from visiting goalkeeper Luke Mewitt.
Moments later, the Inver Men had another chance, this time interim skipper Dom Tear turning and firing into the side-netting.
On 23, Tomas Cosgrove delivered in a low cross with David McDaid getting on the end of it and putting the ball beyond Mewitt.
McDaid had an opportunity to grab his second with a free-kick just after the half-hour point, only being denied by the woodwork.
Huddersfield’s first real opportunity came six minutes from the break; Micah Obiero turning and blazing over the top.
McDaid duly made it 2-0 shortly before half time; a well worked move in which Donnelly found Ben Tilney on the wing who crossed into the area, culminating in the striker tucking away.
Town pulled one back with seven minutes in the second half; Sam Sharrok-Peplow crossing in from the left with Sam Akinola’s looping header ending up in the back of the net as Michael Dougherty remained rooted to the spot.
Town could have been level two minutes later as Obiero’s effort only narrowly went wide of the post.
Larne soon restored their two goal cushion after Thomas Stewart’s shot was saved on the line by the keeper with Benny Igiehon making sure of the goal as he tapped in from the loose ball.
Less than 10 minutes later, the home side had the ball in the net again, this time Igiehon won possession out wide and crossed into Thomas Stewart who made no mistake to slot home.
The scoring was rounded off on 71 minutes as Scullion found Tear with his free-kick from distance; the skipper’s downward header going through Mewitt’s legs to make it five.
Larne: Devlin, McEleney, Ramsey, McNally, Cosgrove, Tilney, Sule, Hassin, Donnelly, Tear (c), McDaid
Subs: Igiehon, Dougherty, Stuart, Scullion, Hughes, Stewart
Huddersfield Town: Mewitt, Annakin, Brown, Barrett, Olagunju, Thompson, Headly, High (c), Obiero, Austerfield, Sharrock-Peplow
Subs: Akinola, Chapman, Kherbouche, Bamford
Man of the Match: David McDaid (Larne)
What’s up next?
Larne are back in league action on Saturday 6 April as the season enters its final month. Portadown travel to Inver Park on the same day that the Invermen receive the Championship trophy (3pm).
