Hale hits winner to boost Larne’s Euro mission
RONAN Hale’s stunning second-half goal earned Larne a victory at Shamrock Park, which helped the Invermen to move to within a point of the top three.
It is the latest in Hale’s eye-catching collection of goals this season after similar strikes against Glenavon and Crusaders earlier in the campaign.
In the end it gave Larne a precious victory, after they had a taken an early lead through Andy Mitchell’s penalty, which was cancelled out by Lee Bonis.
Mitchell netted from the spot on 10 minutes after Tomas Cosgrove’s cross was charged down by home defender Ruairi Croskery. After consultation between referee Lee Tavinder and assistant Vikki Finlay a penalty was awarded and Mitchell fired his effort down the middle.
There was a lengthy stoppage in the first half as Ports captain
Luke Wilson received treatment before being stretchered off.
Portadown went into the break level when they scored two minutes into stoppage time.
Sam Warde looked like he was fouled 25 yards from the Larne goal, but referee Tavinder played a good advantage, with Croskery slipping the ball left to Bonis and he produced a cool finish under the onrushing Conor Devlin.
Larne won the game 20 minutes from time when Hale, who had only been on the pitch for five minutes, struck a sweet effort with the outside of his right foot which cut across Carney and into the top left corner.
PORTADOWN: Carney, Hall, Finnegan, Mckeown, Salley, Bonis, Wilson (Tipton 36 mins), Croskery (Teggart 68 mins), Conaty, Kerr, Warde.
Unused subs: Buchanan, Murray, Guy, Healy, Murphy.
LARNE: Devlin, Watson (Hughes 46 mins), Robinson, Herron (Sule 75 mins), Mcdaid (Hale 65 mins), Donnelly, Lynch, A Mitchell, Wade Slater, Cosgrove, Jarvis.
Unused subs: C Mitchell, Randall, Mckendry, Lusty.
Referee: Lee Tavinder (Dungannon).
Man of match: Ronan Hale
Match rating: 7/10