Glentoran Seconds maintained their place at the top of the NIFL Premiership Development League with a 2–0 victory over Larne Olympic in difficult conditions at Ashfield Boys’ High School on Wednesday evening.

Glentoran entered the fixture leading the table on goal difference with 30 points from their opening 12 matches and holding two games in hand over second-placed Linfield. Larne Olympic arrived in East Belfast fifth in the standings, having collected 18 points from 11 games.

Glentoran were without first-team squad members and academy graduates Charlie Lindsay and James Douglas. The squad again included Jude Johnson, Jack Faloona, Cal Weatherup and captain Ciaran Rogers-Duffy.

With Milo Beimers away with Canada at the FIFA U17 World Cup, Matthew Belshaw started in goal after recently returning from international duty with the Northern Ireland U17 side.
The opening period saw both teams compete for control in midfield, with clear chances limited. Glentoran did not register an attempt on target before the interval.

Larne did create the half’s most significant opportunity, but Belshaw produced a save to prevent the visitors from taking the lead and the teams went in level at half-time.

The Glens made a stronger start to the second half and moved the ball with greater purpose in attacking areas. They took the lead when Ryan Bailie scored from outside the box following build-up play involving Jack Faloona and Jude Johnson.

Glentoran restricted Larne to almost no opportunities after the break and created several openings of their own to extend the advantage. The pressure told in the final moments when the Glens added a second goal with the last action of the match. Substitute Finlay Grummit converted to seal the 2–0 result.

The win extended Glentoran Seconds’ unbeaten league run to eight matches and they remain top of the Premiership Development League.

Full-Time: Glentoran Seconds 2–0 Larne Olympic

Starting Line-Up: Belshaw (GK), Bell, Drennan, Rogers-Duffy (C), McCann, Faloona, Nelson, Bailie, McClure, Johnson, Weatherup.

Substitutes: Magowan, Quail, Hardy, Grummit, Magee.