Glentoran Seconds maintained their place at the top of the NIFL Premiership Development League with an emphatic 6–2 win over Carrick Rangers Reserves tonight at Ashfield Boys’ High School.

With Milo Beimers still away on international duty at the FIFA U17 World Cup with Canada and recent first-team inclusions Frankie Hvid, Charlie Lindsay and James Douglas not involved, captain Ciaran Rogers-Duffy returned from injury to marshal the back line.

Further forward, a lively attacking trio of Cal Weatherup, Jude Johnson and Casey Smyth carried the Glens’ main threat, each looking to build on their impressive recent form.

It was a sluggish first half for the Glens as a defensive mix-up allowed Carrick to take an early lead, with the visitors bright and energetic throughout the opening period.

Glentoran’s best chances came from set-pieces, with Owen O’Neill and Ciaran Rogers-Duffy both going close from Ryan Baillie corners.

The equaliser arrived just before half-time when Rogers-Duffy met another Baillie delivery with a strong header to bring the Glens level at the break.

Whatever was said in the dressing room had the desired effect as the Glens came out flying after the restart.

Caolan Hardy put the Glens ahead with a composed finish into the far corner, before Weatherup doubled the advantage moments later with a superb run and left-foot strike from the edge of the box.

The forward was in devastating form, adding his second soon after with a clinical right-footed finish after cutting in from the left to make it 4–1. Carrick pulled one back, but Glentoran quickly reasserted control.

Jack Faloona added a fifth with a stunning strike from the edge of the area following a cleverly worked corner routine, before Jude Johnson rounded off the scoring in style when converted a cheeky Panenka penalty to seal a commanding 6–2 win.

It was a dominant second-half display from a confident Glentoran side, who remain top of the table ahead of their trip to the Coleraine Showgrounds to face Coleraine on Monday 10th November.

Full-Time: Glentoran Seconds 6–2 Carrick Rangers Reserves

Starting Line-Up: Watt (GK), McCann, Rogers-Duffy (C), Hardy, O’Neill, Bell, Faloona, Baillie, Weatherup, Johnson, Smyth.

Subs: Nelson, Dolan, McClure, Drennan, Beatty.