Larne win against nine-man Welders

It was the first defeat of the season for the Welders who finished the game with nine men.

“We fully deserved the points and especially the way we performed and the Welders manager also said we deserved it which was pleasing. I criticised them at times last season about not winning big games and they certainly have got that monkey of their back,” said manager, Davy McAlinden.

“We played very well for 90 minutes and I was pleased the way we reacted when they levelled when we were on top and showed a lot of character. They are a quality side and we knew they would have spells with the ball but we dealt with that very well.”

The Reds were on top from the off and went close to going ahead on five minutes. Stuart McMullan’s pass sent James McCabe clear and he was unlucky to see his low drive strike the upright.

Four minutes before the break Larne took the lead. Guillame Keke won the ball wide on the right and drove the ball into the danger zone where Darren Stuart was on hand to provide the finish.

Five minutes after the break the sides were level. Davy Rainey slipped the ball to Ryan Deans and his shot crept in at the near post.

Larne did not let the heads drop and were denied a second two minutes later when Keke’s free-kick struck the crossbar.

The Frenchman was not to be denied however. A ball over the top from Kevin Bradley found Keke and his precision lob sailed over Michael Dougherty into the net.

Tommy Robinson and Gerald Gillan tested Dougherty in the closing stages as the visitors had Michael McLellan and Neil Dougan red-carded.

Larne: Flood, Bradley, Smith, McClean, McMullan McGrandless, Stuart, McGonnell, Gillen, McCabe, Keke, Robinson (Rodgers 88). Unused subs: McGonnell, Todd, Stitt.