McAlinden: Players have let themselves down

After a promising start the Reds went in a goal down at the break. After the restart they went to pieces as Michael McLellan took his tally in the game to four with Davy Rainey adding the fifth.

Not surprisingly, Larne manager Davy McAlinden was far from happy with his players.

“I am struggling to find the words to describe how I feel about that performance,” he said. “We played quite well in the first half then gifted them a goal before folding like a deck of cards. I feel let down but it is not about me, the players have let themselves down and they will have to reflect on that.

“It doesn’t matter if you are playing five-a-side in the park, or chess, you have to have the desire, hunger and determination. If that it is not in the player then he is not what I am looking for; it hurts me.”

Larne had the first clear-cut chance on 27 minutes. Darren Stuart was played in on the left side of the box but Michael Dougherty was quickly out to block the shot.

With a minute of the first half remaining a cross from the right was allowed to find McLellan and his header found the net.

The Reds then went missing in action as the visitors scored three goals in four minutes. With an hour gone a corner from the right fell to Ryan Deans. His shot was pushed onto the bar by John Connolly and Rainey was onto the rebound in a flash to fire home.

McLellan added the third when he calmly picked up a defence-splitting pass, giving Connolly no chance.

Failure to deal with another corner allowed the ball to break to McLellan who took full advantage.

The big striker completed the rout two minutes from time. This time Scott McMillen played him in and despite Connolly’s best efforts the ball sneaked over the line.

Larne: Connolly, Bradley, Smith (Robinson 55), McClean, Reynolds (Todd 62), McMullan, E. Gillan, McGoran, Maguire, Murray, Stuart. Subs not used: McCabe, Stitt.

HW Welders: Dougherty, Dickson, Armstrong, Harris, McMurray, Simpson, Deans, Devine, Middleton, McLellan, Rainey. Subs: Davison, Shields, McMullan, Armstrong, Galbraith.

Referee. C. Morrison.

Championship 1 results

Ballyclare Comrades 1-0 PSNI

Bangor 2 Armagh City 0

Donegal Celtic 0-1 Carrick Rangers

Dundela 1-3 Ards

Knockbreda 3-2 Dergview

Larne 0-5 HW Welders

Lisburn Distillery 1-1 Loughgall