Five-star Maguire rocks Rosario

The game was a personal triumph for striker Paul Maguire who bagged all five goals.

It was a quiet return between the posts for Chris Keenan as the Reds were in control from the off with Andrew Simms firing just over.

Gary Workman was then unlucky to see his shot find the side-netting after 13 minutes. The deadlock was finally broken after 25 minutes when Ryan Berry spread the play to Simms on the left and he quickly despatched a low cross to find Maguire who scored from close range.

The striker doubled his tally a minute later - this time getting on the end of a Workman corner from the left to give the keeper no chance.

The third came from the penalty spot, six minutes before the break. Scott Todd weaved his way into the box where he was upended by Danny McKeown leaving Maguire to hammer the ball into the net.

With 10 minutes gone in the second-half, a long range pile-driver from Arron Lemon was too hot to handle for keeper Declan Magee and there are no prizes for guessing who was first to react as Maguire nipped in to convert the rebound.

The striker completed the rout three minutes later. The quick passing game from the Reds proved decisive as Berry and Simms combined again. This time the cross came in from the right and ‘Giggsy’ got in front of his marker to fire home.

Larne had the ball in the net again 12 minutes from time when Craig Todd converted a Curtis Hanna cross but the referee ruled it out for offside.

The real action gets under way on Saturday when Larne travel to Clandeboye Road to face Ards in the Belfast Telegraph Championship 1 opener.

Anyone wishing to travel to the game will be welcome to climb on board the supporters’ bus which leaves Inver Park at 1.30pm.

LARNE: Keenan, S. Todd, Lemon, Marsh, Wharry (Moore), Devine (C.Todd), Workman (Hanna), Berry (McClean), Maguire, Young (McAllister), Simms.