Todd nets first goal for Inver Reds

Armagh City 0

LARNE travelled to already-relegated Armagh City for the last away game of the season. They secured the three points with a comfortable 2-0 win in a match in which they grew stronger throughout to complete the double over the Holm Park side.

Craig Todd, who was lively all afternoon, could have put the visitors in front on eleven minutes. The young striker dispossessed Cardoso, who took too much time on the ball in his own penalty area, but Todd’s shot was smothered by Morgan.

Two minutes later, Cardoso picked up a yellow card for needlessly getting involved with Reid off the ball. The Armagh midfielder made a more positive contribution in the 32nd minute with a mazy 40-yard run, beating three Larne players, but his finish was found wanting.

However, Larne should have gone in ahead at half-time as the Inver Reds finished the half strongly. On 36 minutes, Larmour played Todd’s pass into the path of the charging Reid. Armagh keeper Morgan stood up well and produced a fine save to deny Reid.

From the resulting corner Larne had the ball in the net, but Carland’s back-post header was disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Two minutes later, Larmour was unfortunate not to find the net for the 21st time this season.

A misunderstanding in the Armagh defence allowed the ball to bounce through to Larmour. His attempted lob of Morgan bounced high and wide.

With two minutes to go before the break a long throw from Dick found its way to Moore, but the defender fired at the keeper from close range.

Moore had another opportunity in the first minute of the second half. Reid’s cross evaded Larmour’s leap. Moore contrived to hit the woodwork at the back post when he should have done better.

This briefly sparked Armagh City in to life as Viera forced a fine save from Brown with a stinging shot from the edge of the box.

The open start to the second half continued when Larmour released Reid a minute later, but the midfielder blazed the ball over the bar.

On 50 minutes, Viera forced another good save from Brown. The Armagh forward cut inside and fired a shot towards the near post, which Brown beat away.

Paul Millar’s men began to take charge of the match and eventually got the lead on 59 minutes. McLoughlin’s cross from the right was met with a superb header by Larmour, which found the corner of the net.

The lead was almost doubled two minutes later when Reid found his way into the box. He opted to square the ball instead of shooting, but the pass was beyond McMenamin’s reach.

Todd almost got his first goal for the club on 64 minutes. The young striker latched onto to a long cross field ball, poked the ball through Alexander’s legs, but fired his shot over the bar.

He was not to be denied eleven minutes later. A free kick from the right by McLoughlin was flicked into the middle by Larmour and Todd found the net with a fine volley from 12 yards.

He almost doubled his tally two minutes later, when Larmour played a fine pass. Alexander made a well timed tackle to rob Todd of the ball when he was bearing down on goal.

With eight minutes to go, Morgan was forced to make another good save when Reid hit the target with a well placed free kick.

Cusack’s effort for Armagh from a free kick of their own on 85 minutes was tame in comparison.

A minute later, Armagh City were reduced to ten men when Cardoso picked up his second yellow card for clipping the heels of BJ McMenamin. The midfielder did little to help his cause by immediately confronting McMenamin, leaving the referee with little option but to dismiss him.

Cullen forced another save from Brown with a minute to go, but Larne were not to be denied a win in which they largely controlled.

Whilst there is little to play for, the recent improvement in performances will give Paul Millar some cause for encouragement for the summer.

Larne: R. Brown, Moore (McMenamin), McLoughlin, Marsh, Carland, White, A. Reid, McNally, Todd, Larmour, Dick (McConaghy)

Unused subs: McQuoid, Rafferty

Armagh City: Morgan, Cusack, McStravick, Kerr, Alexander, Cullen, McGlone, Fernando Cardoso, Viera, Pique, Lopez

Unused subs: Vinicus, Eduardo Filho

Referee: L. Tavinder

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