Champions Larne welcome lead leaders Linfield to Inver Park for a crunch Irish League clash. Earlier in the day, Portadown defeated Glentoran 2-0 at The Oval, Ballymena United won 1-0 against Cliftonville, Stephen Baxter’s Carrick Rangers defeated Crusaders 3-0, Dungannon Swifts defeated Glenavon 2-0 and Coleraine eased to a 4-0 win at Loughgall.
Carrick Rangers 3 Crusaders 0
Paul Heatley came back to haunt his former side as he scored twice in Carrick Rangers’ 3-0 win over Crusaders at Taylors Avenue.
The hosts could have taken the lead with just two minutes on the clock as Johnny Tuffey spilt Nedas Maciulaitis’ effort before Emmett McGuckin sent the rebound off target.
Just nine minutes later Stephen Baxter’s sides’ early pressure paid off as they took the lead when Maciulaitis found McGuckin at the back post with a brilliantly floated cross and the forward headed in from close range.
They doubled their advantage almost immediately as McGuckin was once again involved, flicking Ross Glendinning’s long ball beyond the visiting defence.
It was there that he picked out Paul Heatley who beat the onrushing Tuffey to the ball and poked it through his legs to double the advantage.
The former Crues man then added a third in the second half as Kyle Cherry’s free-kick was eventually punched clear by Tuffey but only as far as his former teammate.
The attacking midfielder took the strike on with a first-time volley from the edge of the box and picked out the bottom corner to round off a brilliant 3-0 win for his side.
Cliftonville 0 Ballymena United 1
Ballymena United ended their Premiership losing streak and brought Cliftonville’s winning run to a conclusion with a smash and grab victory at Solitude.
Andy Scott’s low drive from distance was enough to settle an affair that had been largely dominated by a Reds side who will look to gilt-edged opportunities that Arran Pettifer and Rory Hale passed up in the first-half.
United defended resolutely throughout and, having limited Cliftonville to very little during the second period, took their chance to snatch all three points when Scott worked a little bit of room for himself in the hosts’ half before finding the bottom corner with a precise finish.
Dungannon Swifts 2 Glenavon 0
The pressure continues to pile on Stephen McDonnell after Glenavon slumped to another dismal defeat.
He was left clinging to his job following a third straight loss at Dungannon Swifts.
On another dire afternoon for the struggling Lurgan club, they fell behind to Barney McKeown’s own-goal.
Kealan Dillon made it 2-0 in the second half, but Glenavon barely troubled the home team.
The stats tell the story of a tumultuous season for the Mourneview side.
It is now just one win in 10 – and none in their last six – in the Sports Direct Premiership.
This was also the sixth time in seven they have failed to score in the league.
While Dungannon’s own form has dipped, they were all too comfortable here.
McDonnell cut a frustrated figure at times, with his frustration showing as several decisions went against them.
Typical of their recent luck, they handed Dungannon a 14th minute lead.
Gael Bigirimana crossed towards Andrew Mitchell at the far post, McKeown tried to intercept but hooked the ball into his own net.
The Swifts looked dangerous each time they broke forward.
Steven Scott’s early drive tested the goalkeeper and Thomas Maguire sent an effort spinning across goal.
Mitchell’s header on a cross from James Knowles also struck the crossbar with the goalkeeper unmoved.
Glenavon’s best chance fell to Michael O’Connor, but his effort was palmed over by Declan Dunne.
Dungannon doubled their lead in the 61st minute after a stylish move.
Dillon played the ball right to Maguire, then dashed forward to meet his return cross, taking the ball around the goalkeeper before slotting home.
Glenavon, the lowest scorers in the league, rarely looked like mustering a comeback.
Their best chance came when Peter Campbell crossed, but Jamie Doran shot wide at the back post.
Dillon almost scored a spectacular third late on, but his dipping shot dropped wide.
Glentoran 0 Portadown 2
Shay McCartan returned to break the hearts of former club Glentoran at the BetMcLean Oval.
The 30-year-old midfielder held his nerve to slot home a penalty kick eight minutes from time to help earn Portadown three valuable Sports Direct Premiership points.
Ryan Mayse then made it a memorable afternoon for the visitors by scoring a second with the final kick of the game — it was the Ports’ first win at the east Belfast venue since December, 2013.
It was no more than Niall Currie’s men deserved because they created several clear cut chances, particularly in the first half, but found Glens’ goalkeeper Daniel Gyollai in superb form.
A draw looked the likely outcome until McCartan appeared to be tripped by Fuad Sule inside the box and referee Christopher Morrison pointed to the spot – McCartan made no mistake.
The Ports then put the icing on the cake when Ben Wylie robbed Dan Amos and crossed for Mayse to tap home at the back post.
Loughgall 0 Coleraine 4
Coleraine clinched only their second away win in the Sports Direct Premiership the season with a rampant 4-0 win over Loughgall at Lakeview Park.
The Bannsiders were outstanding, taking the lead early on as Matthew Shevlin netted twice to take his tally for the season to 15 goals.
The game was only six minutes old when Lyndon Kane released Rhyss Campbell down the right wing and he hung up a great cross that Shevlin headed home from 10 yards out.
It was a quick-fire double in the six minutes before half time that put the Bannsiders firmly in control, with Jamie McGonigle central in both goal-scoring incidents.
Jamie Glackin picked him out with a superbly weighted pass to the left wing and McGonigle raced through before rolling the ball over the advancing Nathan Gartside to make it 2-0 on 39 minutes and just three minutes later the scorer turned provider when he was sent away on the left and Campbell slid in to meet his cross right in the centre of the six yard box.
Loughgall manager Dean Smith made double substitution in a tactical switch at half time and had Caolan McAleer found the net after being set up by fellow sub Alberto Balde just a minute into the second half instead of shooting wide they might have got back into the game.
Instead Coleraine made it an even more comfortable day when Shevlin pushed the ball over the line with his midriff after Campbell flicked on Glackin’s corner after 58 minutes.
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