Larne slump to defeat at Donegal Celtic

LARNE travelled to a snowy Suffolk Road on Tuesday night hoping to avenge their 2-1 home defeat to Donegal Celtic in September. Hit by injuries and suspensions Larne were down to the bare bones with only three subs on the bench.

The visitors had their chances but ended up on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline which was a fair reflection of the game.

After a fairly quiet start the game came to life after twenty minutes. Gargin had a snapshot which was only inches wide of the target. McLoughlin had the same outcome moments later when his free from twenty yards flew past O'Kane's left hand post.

With half an hour gone Bradley let fly from twenty five yards, Brown looked to have it covered as it sailed over the bar. The home side should have been ahead on thirty two minutes. McAlorum's cross to the back post found the unmarked Gargin but he wasted the chance side footing wide.

Seven minutes before the break Gargin crossed to find McVeigh. His flick on fell to O'Neill who should have put DC in front only to see Marsh block the shot on the line. Larne finished the half strongly and should have been in front.

Larmour's clever ball released McMennamin who opened up the home defence only to be denied by a fine save from O'Kane diving at his feet. There was an even better chance when McLoughlin's long range free was spilled by the keeper. The ball broke to Marsh who looked odds on the score but a combination of O'Kane and O'Neill blocked the ball on the line.

The missed chances were to prove costly as the home side broke the deadlock just before the break. Gargin was again the provider this time driving in a low cross to find McVeigh who took advantage of slack defending to stab it into the net for his eleventh of the season.

In truth the second half was one way traffic towards the Larne goal and things got worse for Paul Millar's side when DC extended their advantage on sixty-five minutes. Gargin who scored both goals in the reverse fixture sent in a thirty five yard shot which bounced awkwardly in front of Brown on its way into the net.

With the introduction of the experienced Kennedy and McAreavey the home side were totally in control and the result was put beyond doubt ten minutes from time. This time a Bradley corner found McVeigh in acres of space and he made no mistake.

Donegal Celtic: O'Kane, Heggney, Lambe, Curran, Cleary, McAlorum, Gargin, Bradley, O'Neill, Duff, McVeigh. Subs: McAreavey, Adamczyk, Kennedy, Allison.

Larne: Brown, Moore, McLoughlin, Marsh, Carland, Dick, Fulton,McNally, McLaughlin (Rafferty), Larmour, McMennamin. Subs: McConnaghie, Rafferty, McQuoid.

Referee. D.Dunlop