Gibson bags three as Carrick hit Coagh for six

THREESY DOES IT: Carrick striker Richard Gibson netted a hat-trick against Dergview on Saturday.

Strikers Nathan McConnell, Anto Lagan and Adam Dick were also on the scoresheet as Michael Hughes’ men sent out a clear signal of intent to their Championship 1 stablemates.

Gibson broke the deadlock after 34 minutes, heading in a Ryan Burns cross before sending a rasping volley past William Hassan from 12 yards.

Lagan saw a low shot whiz past the far post before Aidan O’Kane cleared off the line at the other end.

Seconds after having a goal disallowed, Gibson scored his third in the 47th minute. Correy Davidson raced down the line, whipped in an early cross, and the ex-Glentoran man made no mistake with his header.

A Jason Gillespie penalty threatened to spark a Coagh revival five minutes later, but a Davidson-inspired Carrick continued to attack.

Ten minutes from the end, Lagan smashed in from 16 yards and McConnell finished well minutes later after good work from Harmon and Dick on the right.

Late in the game, Dick was sent through and calmly guided the ball past Hassan to complete the rout.

Carrick Rangers: Deane, Smyth, Bell, O’Kane, Taggart, Curran, Burns, Harmon, Lagan, Gibson, Davidson. Subs: West, Kelly, McCloskey, Dick, McConnell.