Photo: Bill Guiller
Report: Andrew Morrison
Larne moved into fourth place in the Danske Bank Premiership following a 3-0 win against bottom placed Warrenpoint.
Second half goals from Albert Watson, David McDaid and Ronan Hale were enough to seal the points in a 3-0 win at Inver Park, following back-to-back draws.
The home side got off to a quick start with David McDaid finding himself in space on the right flank after just two minutes. After carrying the ball into the box he managed to pick out Ben Doherty’s late run only for his shot to go over the bar.
Just moments later there was an early moment of panic as Albert Watson got caught playing out the back as his pass was intercepted by Thomas Maguire who laid it off to Alan O’Sullivan. The forwards effort from 10 yards out was saved by Micheal Argyrides in goal with help from a deflection.
As Larne continued to create Ben Doherty once again came close. A well worked move saw Ronan Hale turn his man at the halfway line before picking out Tomas Cosgrove whose cross picked out the onrushing Doherty in the middle. The first time effort was low and hard but unfortunately straight at Conor Mitchell in goal.
As the half went on both sides struggled to create any chances of note with the visiting sides defence managing to stifle McDaid and co. With neither side managing to break the deadlock the sides went in at half time as it started at 0-0.
Half-time: Larne 0-0 Warrenpoint Town
Within the opening two minutes of the restart Warrenpoint goalkeeper miss hit his clearance leading to defender Luke Gallagher having to head out for a Larne corner. From the resulting set-piece Ben Doherty found Albert Watson who headed in for 1-0 in front of the Church end.
Straight from the kick-off a collision in the box involving Cian Bolger led to a host of penalty appeals from the visitors. After referee Christopher Morrison decided not to award a foul protests saw Kealan Dillon pick up a yellow card.
A second goal soon followed with David McDaid the scorer. With the visiting defence up towards the halfway line Mark Randall’s header played through McDaid who was on the last shoulder of his marker. One on one with goalkeeper the number 10 remained calm to convert past Mitchell.
A brief period where the hosts dominated possession without creating many chances followed the second goal. Then a well worked move between Ronan Hale and Tomas Cosgrove down the right got the side up the pitch with the latter getting into a crossing position. After opting to cut in he once again picked out Hale who after taking a touch to set himself found the bottom left corner for 3-0.
With the game coming to a close Mark Randall almost added a fourth. Seeing Mitchell off his line the midfielder attempted a speculative effort from range. Seemingly a comfortable catch for the keeper he parried the ball wide with the Inver Reds failing to make anything of the loose ball.
With two minutes additional time there was one last chance as a Lee Lynch corner found Kofi Balmer free in the box but his header went straight into the goalkeepers arms.
Larne: Argyrides, Balmer, Kelly (’85 Jarvis), Watson, Sule (’85 Mitchell), Randall, Hale (’80 Lynch), McDaid (’80 Lusty), Doherty (’80 Nasseri), Bolger, Cosgrove
Unused subs: Ferguson, Oluwa
Warrenpoint Town: Mitchell, Deasy, Ball (’71 Moorhouse), Peers (’85 Quinn), Dillion, O’Sullivan (’85 Masteron) Gallagher, Wade Slater, Maguire (’87 Shotayo), Hutchinson (’71 Mullen), Leddy
Unused subs: Coleman, McVeigh
Referee: Christopher Morrison
