Carrick Rangers

Caolan Loughran (44p)

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Larne

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Caolan Loughran is mobbed by his Carrick team mates (© carrickrangers.co.uk)

LOUGHRAN HANDS CARRICK EAST ANTRIM DERBY VICTORY

Saturday, 16 March 2019

A first half penalty from Caolan Loughran earned Carrick Rangers the bragging rights over champions Larne in the final East Antrim derby of the season.

It was Larne who started the game on the front foot, with Thomas Stewart firing a powerful effort over the bar from the edge of the area after ten minutes.

Darren Stuart then slipped the ball through to Jeff Hughes whose low shot narrowly went past the post.

Stuart was presented with a glorious chance to break the deadlock later in the half when the ball broke to him ten yards from goal, however he somehow missed the target as his side-footed effort went wide.

On the 44th minute, a foul on Michael Smith inside the penalty area gave referee Declan Hassan no choice but to point to the penalty spot. Loughran stepped up to take his third penalty in four games, and he made no mistake as he sent Michael Dougherty the wrong way for his tenth goal of the season.

The home side looked to double their advantage early in the second half, however Stewart Nixon's delivery was headed over by Chris Rodgers.

Tiernan Lynch's side pushed for an equaliser for the entire half but created no real opportunities of note, as they were met by brave and resolute defending from their opponents.

Carrick Rangers: Hogg, Coyle, Neale, Rodgers, Loughran, McMillen, Anderson, Chapman, Kelly, Nixon, Smith subs McNeill (not used), McDermott (not used), Strain (replaced Kelly 80), McCauley (not used), Adamczyk (replaced Smith 89)

Larne: Dougherty, Ramsey, Kelly, Scullion, Stewart, McNally, Stuart, Hassin, Tear, Cosgrove, Hughes subs Devlin (not used), Sule (replaced Stuart 62), McEleney (not used), Donnelly (replaced Tear 73), Igiehon (replaced Stewart 69)

Referee: Declan Hassan

Tags:  Carrick Rangers  Larne