It was another massive performance by Gary Haveron’s men, who look to be well under way to winning their third League title in four years
Paul O’Neill’s delicious double against Glentoran at the BetMcLean Oval last night sent Larne 10 points clear at the top of the Sport Direct Premiership table after a 4-1 win. It was another massive performance by Gary Haveron’s men, who look to be well under way to winning their third League title in four years.
The result almost certainly snuffs out any lingering hope of Glentoran lifting the Gibson Cup for the first time since 2009.
Chris Gallagher and skipper Tomas Cosgrove were also on target for the visitors, while defender Daniel Larmour grabbed Glentoran’s only moment of light relief.
In fact, the east Belfast team had to play 56 minutes with only 10 men after defender Ryan Cooney was dismissed.
The game had an explosive start with Jordan McEneff’s brilliantly worked corner kick routine picking out Sean Graham on the edge of the box, only to see his blockbuster crash off the crossbar – an early let-off for the Glens.
But it was the away fans who were celebrating on seven minutes when referee Tony Clarke awarded Larne a penalty kick. McEneff’s free kick was clearly handled by Michael Kamson-Kamara.
Paul O’Neill stepped up to send Andrew Mills the wrong way from the spot.
Declan Devine’s men attempted to shake off the poor start and could well have been level on 15 minutes. James Singleton sent Jordan Jenkins into the box, but he could only blast his shot high and wide.
Then, another moment of controversy went against the home team when Pat Hoban’s cross looked to have come off the hand or defender Ryan Nolan, but this time Mr Clarke wasn’t convinced.
Urged on by the big support, the Glens levelled on 24 minutes – although it’s a goal that will give Larne goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson nightmares.
Cooney’s long throw in was flicked on by Kamson-Kamara, but as Ferguson came to punch, he totally fluffed his lines, leaving Larmour with and easy header.
Larne upped the ante as the half progressed and Glentoran hand Mills to thank for producing a brilliant save on 33 minutes. He was picked out by McEneff and the striker looked a certain scorer until the big shot-stopper spread himself to save with his
The game then erupted for all the wrong reasons when Cooney was dismissed for a nasty lunging challenge on challenge on Graham.
And, Larne immediately made the extra man count. They were back in front four minutes before the interval. Liam Burt’s botched clearance fell to Gallagher and from fully 30 yards, he arrowed the ball into the bottom corner.
Glentoran appeared for the second half determined to repair the damage. Pat Hoban blasted a free kick over the crossbar after Matt Ridley had flattened Jenkins before Kamson-Kamara tried his luck from distance that Ferguson was relieved to see fizz inches wide.
But Larne produced a brilliant counter-attack and increased the lead on 54 minutes.
O’Connor’s penetrating run on the left pulled the Glens apart and, when he drilled in a low cross, O’Neill arrived to ram the ball over the line.
The visitors our out of sight on 77 minutes. Substitute Danny Amos had his pocket picked by James Simpson, whose back-heel picked out Cosgrove, who slid the ball under Mills.
