INTERMEDIATE CUP: McGrandles winner sends Larne through to last eight

Larne were in front with eight minutes on the clock when Ciaran Murray fired in a corner from the right and first to react was Man of the Match Stuart McMullan, hooking in his fourth of the season.

Two minutes later another Murray corner again found McMullan however this time he headed over the bar.

Larne had an even better chance to double their lead on 25 minutes. The ball broke to captain Paul Maguire eight yards out and uncharacteristically he steered the ball wide.

With a minute of the half remaining, Murray’s ball released Keke but as he was about to get a shot on goal William Armstrong’s timely tackle denied him.

Four minutes into the second half the Welders drew level. Neil Dougan swept the ball in from the left and it sat up nicely for Davidson who fired it low into the net giving Brennan no chance.

It was still anybody’s game at this stage but a resilient Larne side got what proved to be the winner on 62 minutes. A Kevin Bradley throw-in from the left was flicked on by Keke. It fell to Conall McGrandles and his lob sailed wide of the keeper into the net for his second of the season.

Not surprisingly, the visitors then threw everything at the Larne defence. Brennan somehow blocked a Scott McMillan effort then Davidson drilled a free-kick inches past the right hand upright. McGrandless almost added a third late on but his firm shot was straight at the keeper.

LARNE: Brennan, Bradley, McGrandles, Nixon, Rodgers, McMullan, Irvine, McIlveen, Murray, Maguire, Keke (McCabe 82). Subs not used Robinson, Donnelly, Gillan, McGonnell.

H&W Welders: Dougherty, Dickson, Armstrong, Spence, McMurray, McMillan, Deans, Davidson, Dougan, Devine, Rainey. Subs: Harris, Bowers, Middleton, Cahoon, Galbriath.

Referee: S. Gregg (Ballyclare),

Don’t miss this week’s Larne Times for match reaction and the views of our man at Inver, Paul Campbell