Peter Wilson reports from Inver Park
LARNE thrashed Limavady United at Inver Park as they put six past their opponents with no reply.
A brace from Jeff Hughes along with goals from Ben Tilney and Martin Donnelly, a penalty from David McDaid and an own goal by Shane Boyle helped the Inver Reds extend their advantage at the top of the table to 11 points after Dundela’s game with Portadown was postponed. The victory over United also continued Larne’s unbeaten streak since the start of the season, increasing the run to 15 games.
A lively start from Limavady was snuffed out on eight minutes when Jeff Hughes turned away from the defender outside the box to fire a sweet strike into the top left from 20 yards, to give Connor Brown no chance.
Shortly after, Martin Donnelly delivered a corner in from the left with Patrick McNally heading just wide.
The lead was doubled though, when Ben Tilney drove a dangerous cross low into the area from the left, with United’s Shane Boyle bundling the ball into his own net with 28 minutes gone.
The advantage was almost extended when Paddy McNally tried his luck from all of 25 yards, but his effort came crashing off the angle of bar and post.
David McDaid made it three however, slamming the ball down the middle of goal from the penalty spot, after Tomas Cosgrove had been fouled.
The visitors began to threaten early in the second half with Stuart McMullan’s attempt at close range from a Robbie Hume corner was blocked at the back post.
With 68 minutes on the clock the lead was extended, when McDaid delivered an inviting cross from the right flank with Tilney heading in unmarked at the back post.
Hughes added his second nine minutes later, neatly turning and slipping the ball into the net at the front post, after a low cross from Tomas Cosgrove.
Number six came three minutes from the end with a hooked finish from Marty Donnelly after a quick break and square ball from substitute David Scullion.
Larne: Devlin (c), Sule, McEleney, Kelly (Ramsey), McDaid (Scullion), Donnelly, Stuart (Hassin), Tilney, McNally, Cosgrove, Hughes. Unused subs: Dougherty, Osei-Bonsu
Limavady United: Brown, O’Kane (Devine), S. McFadden, McMullan, Boyle, Carlin (c), McCauley, G. McFadden, McCarron, Hume (Duffy), Doherty (McConnell). Unused subs: Wells, Friars
Referee: Christopher Morrison
Man of the Match: Jeff Hughes
Attendance: 762
Larne are at home once again on Saturday 24th November to PSNI. Kick-off at Inver Park is 3pm.
