Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WARD TRIO GETS TECH BACK ON THE ROAD
JOHNNY HASTINGS hailed Sean Ward after his treble got Larne Tech’s promotion challenge back on track at Newcastle on Saturday.
After embarking on a 14-month unbeaten run in the league, the Tech came into the weekend on the back of consecutive losses, and both of them to promotion rivals in the shape of Killyleagh and Islandmagee.
However, they stopped the rot at Shimna, thanks to an inspirational performance from striker Ward.
“Sean is one of those boys that can do that, he’s a very talented boy and I think that is his third or fourth hat-trick this year, third maybe,” said Hastings (above).
“And he’s starting to get to grips with the workrate we are looking from him as well, but he’s very talented.
“So it was good, especially after two defeats and two bad defeats at that.
“After going 14 months without being beaten [in the league] that monkey’s off our back now so we forget about it and we move on.
“It was a good win on Saturday because we had a number of players missing as well, so I’m delighted with the boys that stepped up from the Reserves and helped us out.
“The Islandmagee game was a typical derby and those ones hurt more so it was difficult to take, and that makes it even better to get the win and get back and at it, even for the morale side of things too.
“Newcastle, fair play to them, they battled really well and I sincerely hope they pick up points because they are a good bunch of boys down there and they gave us a game.”
Despite the victory, the Tech still trail second-placed Ballynahinch Olympic by 10 points, with the Islanders a further two in front.
Crucially, however, the league leaders have played three more games than the Dennis Harvey Park men, with Hastings insistent the race for promotion remains wide open.
“We have only played three home games so there is still loads of football to be played,” added the Tech chief.
“The win keeps us up there and we still have games in hand. You’d rather have the points on the board but there’s still plenty of football to be played.”