Killymoon Rangers 1

Larne coasted to a 3-1 win over bottom off the table Killymoon Rangers on Friday night. It was a comfortable but far from convincing win for the Reds who lacked a cutting edge upfront and failed to capitalise on the possession they enjoyed.

It wasn’t until the third goal went in five minutes from time that the points were safe. Manager Graham McConnell tinkered with the line up again making four changes from the side which faced Carrick in the Steel Cup tie.

These included the omission of experienced trio Gilmore, Sweeney and McLaughlin who have struggled to make an impact when selected. The home side were on top from the start with McLoughlin twice going close in the opening ten minutes.

The pressure paid off with the opening goal on twelve minutes. Reid took a short corner to Fulton and his probing cross was headed home by Moore for his second for his second of the season.

Another Reid corner almost doubled the Larne lead five minutes later. Again it broke to Fulton whose crisp volley tested Maguire in the Rangers goal. Killymoon’s best chance of the half came after twenty four minutes. Smith saw Neeson off his line but was unlucky to see his lob from thirty five yards drift just past the post.

Larne continued to control proceedings and Purvis was perfectly placed on the line to keep out Adams firm header. Maguire in the Rangers goal produced a superb one handed save on the stroke of half time to keep out Brown’s shot after he had been played in by Thompson.

Larne doubled their lead seven minutes after the break. Hogan’s pass released Reid who raced fully forty yards to the bye line to set up Dickson who had the simple task off side footing into the empty net.

Five minutes later Larne were left with a three on two but Fulton’s final ball was a big let down leaving Maguire with an easy save. Another chance went astray on sixty five minutes.

Lagan and Fulton exchanged passes to create the opening for Dickson who steered his shot the wrong side of the post. Three minutes later Rafferty chested the ball into the path of Cleary who was denied by a superb save from Maguire.

Rangers had a rare chance eighteen minutes from time. Smith cut the ball back for Martin who should have tested Neeson but sent his shot wide. Moore went close to adding his second on eighty three minutes forcing Maguire to save at the second attempt.

Larne extended their advantage in eighty five minutes. A long ball out of defence allowed Lagan to beat the offside and get a touch ahead of keeper Maguire to steer the ball home. With two minutes remaining Rangers snatched a consolation taking the gloss of the result when Martin was allowed space to fire low into the net.

RESULT: LARNE 3 (Moore, Dickson, Lagan)SUNDERLAND 1 (Martin).

LARNE - Neeson, Brown, Hogan, Adams, Moore, Thompson, McLoughlin, Dickson, Rafferty, Fulton, Reid.