It was a day that had it all – early goals, big victories, late winners and hat-tricks - as the Sports Direct Premiership stormed back after a one week break.

Linfield continue to lead the way with a four point advantage at the top after a narrow defeat of Loughgall at Lakeview Park.

The sides went in scoreless at the break, but the Blues edged in front within moments of the restart when home defender Tiernan Kelly turned the ball into his own net whilst attempt to deal with a Kirk Millar free-kick from the right.

Then, around ten minutes after that, Millar got on the scoresheet himself to double Linfield’s advantage with a volley from the edge of the area.

Benji Magee did pull one back for the Villagers soon after with a deflected effort from just inside the box but David Healy’s side held on to claim the points.

Second placed Larne had momentarily closed the gap on Linfield overnight after hitting two goals without reply past Crusaders at Seaview on Friday. Joe Thomson had opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time before Leroy Millar made sure eight minutes from time.

Cliftonville left it very late to claim victory over Newry City at the Showgrounds.

City raced into the lead with barely four minutes on the clock when Adam Salley nodded home Noel Healy’s cross.

They held the advantage until a couple of minutes into the second half before Jonny Addis levelled for the Reds with a stunning 30-yard effort into the top corner. And Addis went on to bag the winner as late as seven minutes into added time when he poked the ball home from close range.

But the fastest goal of the day went to Glentoran’s David Fisher after he found the net inside the opening minute at the BetMcLean Oval as his side went on to hit Coleraine for six.

Despite tapping home that early opener Fisher had to wait until the 43rd minute to double the home lead with a low right foot finish before, four minutes after the break, he bagged his hat-trick from the spot.

Junior then took over the scoring duties soon after that with two goals in as many minutes before, just after the hour, Bobby Burns wrapped things up from 18 yards!

Glenavon moved into the top six with a two-goal win on the road over Carrick Rangers.

Matthew Snoddy edged the visitors in front just before the break with a header from James Doona’s ball into the box, with Peter Campbell doubling up on the rebound midway through the second half after a Jack Malone spot-kick had been pushed out.

Meanwhile, at the Showgrounds, Dungannon Swifts picked up a vital three points with victory over Ballymena United.
Dean Curry broke the deadlock with around a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock with a looping header, but Mikey Place levelled for the Sky Blues later in the half.

Ben Gallagher restored Dungannon’s lead on 40 minutes, with Adam Glenny adding a third in first half stoppage time to put Rodney McAree’s side into a commanding position.

United hit back early in the second half through Fraser Taylor, but Glenny made sure for the Swifts a couple of minutes from time.