Larmour double spares Larne's blushes

Richhill 0

A LATE brace from Davy Larmour saved Larne’s blushes as they laboured to a 2-0 win over juniors Richhill in the opening round of this season’s WKD Core Intermediate Cup.

The first half was a dour affair with few clear-cut chances. The second half was marginally better, as Larne continued to dominate but struggled make the breakthrough.

The Reds had an early chance to go in front when Lee Thompson crossed for Craig Todd, who rushed his shot, sending it high over the bar.

The visitors then broke clear and it took a last-ditch clearance by Brian McClean to keep out a Gillis header.

Matthew Pollard then ran onto an Adam Dick pass but sent his shot wide. It was the same outcome when Larmour found himself in space on the left side of the box, only to send his shot across the face of goal and wide.

Larmour had another chance to open his account five minutes before the break. This time, a long throw from Dick was flicked on by Thompson but the veteran striker blasted well wide.

Greg Shannon, making his debut in goal, was tested for the first time on 47 minutes, parrying a well-struck shot by Wortley. An injury late in the game meant an early departure for Shannon, as Neeson took over for the final 10 minutes.

Glen Larmour went close on 54minutes when his goal-line clearance kept out a close-range shot from Wortley.

Five minutes later Dick, who had looked subdued for most of the game, ghosted past two defenders but a poorly-hit shot left McCartney with an easy save.

Larmour was having a torrid time in front of goal and he was again out of luck when Todd sent him clear, but the finish left a lot to be desired. He was then left with only the keeper to beat. His shot was well-struck, but a superb point-blank save from McCartney kept it out.

Larmour then set up substitute Ricky Higgins who let fly from 25 yards but his shot went inches over the bar.

With extra-time looking likely, Larne finally killed off the visitors’ challenge with two goals in the final five minutes.

A Dick free-kick from the left was punched out by McCartney to the feet of Larmour, who drilled a low shot through a crowded box into the net.

Todd, who had struggled to make an impact in the game, then chased down a loose ball on the left flank to send over a pin-point cross for Larmour to hammer the ball home at the back post.

It is back to league action on Saturday at Inver Park, where Ballymoney are the visitors with a 3.00pm kick off.

LARNE: Shannon, Pollard, G.Larmour, Marsh, Moore, McClean, Reid, Thompson, Todd, D.Larmour, Dick. Subs: McDonald, McConnaghie, Higgins (Thompson), Neeson (Shannon).

RICHHILL: McCartney, Ross, Huddlestone, Dodds, Davison, Chambers, McAllister, Wortley, Spence, Gillis, Quilty. Subs: Nellis, Richardson, Anderson, Megaw.

REFEREE: J Watson (Ballyclare)