Larne hit double figures against Shorts

To add to their woes, the visitors had to play for 75 minutes with 10 men after James Smyth was sent off.

Larne manager Graham McConnell made six changes for the game and was happy with the performances of the players who came in.

Speaking to the Times, McConnell said: “It was a polished performance and it reflects the mood among the players. With no disrespect to Shorts, that was the type of result we were expecting.

“It’s a big confidence boost for the team and the players didn’t want to let up at any time. And to be honest the neutrals in the crowd would not have known we had made the changes we did.

“I won’t be getting carried away with the results to date and I am looking forward to some of the tougher challenges which are coming up.”

For the record, the goals came after 11 minutes from Robbie White followed by a debut goal for Eamon Hughes eight minutes later. James Moore tapped in the third before Paul Maguire bagged the fourth.

Maguire added his second eight minutes before the break. An own goal from Lee Adair brought up the half-dozen on 41 minutes deflecting in a Chris Murray shot. Stuart King took over the penalty-kick duties after Maguire’s earlier miss, but Michael Gibson again picked the right side to keep it out.

Gary Workman notched the seventh after a great pass from White closely followed by Maguire’s third shortly after the hour-mark.

White rose unchallenged to head home his second and the Reds’ ninth and with five minutes left Workman completed the rout with his second of the game.

Larne: Keenan, Murray, Crawford, Wharry, Hughes, Workman, King (McShane 63), Moore, Maguire (Picking 63), White, Gargan (Irvine 63) Subs not used: Todd, McNamme.

Referee: D. Banks (Carrick)