Glentoran Under 20s made it three wins out of three as they defeated Carrick Rangers at The Cliff, Larne on Wednesday evening.
The Glens started the game brightly having five chances in the opening ten minutes. The first goal of the game came shortly after, a switched ball to the right hand side saw Tiarnan McAuley play a ball into the box. Forward Paul O'Neill stepped off his defender and placed it into the back of the net.
Glentoran made it 2-0 five minutes later, a counter attack saw Noel Healy make a surging drive forward, his defence splitting pass found its way to O'Neill who calmly chipped the oncoming keeper from twenty yards.
Taking their foot of the gas a little, Glentoran still had their chances but it was Carrick Rangers who got a goal back. Their initial penalty kick was saved by Clougherty and from the resulting corner the Carrick player rose above everyone at the back post to score.
Half Time
Carrick Rangers 1-2 Glentoran
The Glens were in control for the early stages of the second half and got a third. McAuley switched the ball from the right hand side, Jack McLaren came galloping forward from the left to strike a volley across the keeper into the roof of the net.
They made it 4-1 minutes later. McLaren had a right footed shot that struck the cross bar and it fell kindly for Paul O'Neill who headed home from a yard out to grab his hat trick.
Another three points on the board as they keep their 100% record intact. A full game for first team player Stevie Gordon at the right side of a back three.
Next up for Glentoran U20s is a home game against Portadown U20s at The Oval, Wednesday 24th August.
Starting XI: R Clougherty, Gordon, Newell, Hamill, McAuley, McLaren, Healy, Shaw, Cafolla, O'Neill, Hughes
Subs: Davidson (Clougherty), Herdman (O'Neill), O'Connor (Shaw)
Quote from manager Mark Clougherty, "Was really pleased with the all round performance. We played some really good football for long periods and scored some quality goals. The most important thing is we're seeing improvement each week from all the boys which has been reflected in the performances"