A superb hat-trick from Eoin Harden spurred our U16 side on to a 3-1 victory over Glenavon last night to set up a NIYFA Cup final against Cliftonville.
Both sides exchanged some half-chances throughout the opening period, until Larne broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. A superb strike from Eoin Harden from the left of the box left the keeper with no chance.
The young Invermen went close to extending their lead numerous times, but were denied by Carter Tuffey. A ball into the middle of the box was headed goalwards by Tomas O’Kane, but quick reactions from the keeper denied him. Not long after and Harden danced the ball around Odhran Trainor to get a shot off, with Tuffey pulling off a fingertip-save to deny the Larne goalscorer.
In the 35th minute, Isaac Diamond received the ball outside the box and fired it past Harry Wilson to even the score in the last minute of the first half.
Half-time score: Glenavon U16s 1-1 Larne U16s
Glenavon had the first chance of the half after some quick passing-play saw the ball arrive to Harry Ritchie, with his attempt on goal being saved by Wilson who had to act quickly.
After only 17 minutes, Larne took the lead again. Jude Crawford found Harden with a well-placed ball, allowing him to take one touch before rifling it through two Glenavon players and past the outstretched Tuffey, scoring from 20-yards out.
Harden would go on to get his hat-trick only a minute later. Rocco Neunie took the ball on the right wing and turned Carter Lyttle, leaving him lying on the ground. He carried the ball down the line and placed a looping cross into the back of the box towards Harden who had drifted away from his man. He connected perfectly with it as it fell and coolly slotted it into the bottom right corner.
The third goal ended the contest and the game died down, but Larne’s Wilson was called into action again before the end, pulling off a great diving-save to deny Ollie McRobb from close quarters.
Full-time score: Glenavon U16s 1-3 Larne U16s
Glenavon U16s: Tuffey (C), Trainor, Lyttle, Black, Ritchie, Robinson, Magee, Doyle, McGeary, McRobb, Diamond
Subs: Wells, Walker
Larne U16s: Wilson, McCormick (C), Bosket, Harden, O’Hara, Kennedy, O’Kane, Hashim, McBurney (’62 Savage), Neunie, Crawford
Subs: Millar, Laird, Greer, Mullen
Referee: Peter McAuley
