Maguire winner secures Larne’s Steel Cup progress
The home side had the best of the first-half chances but poor finishing let them down. Chris Keenan in the Larne goal produced a top-drawer save to deny Daryl Brown after he was sent clear by Alan Thompson.
For the third game in a row, Larne were denied what looked a clear penalty. Curtis Hanna raced into the box where he was taken down but the referee ignored the claims. Gary Workman then went close with a quick free-kick which was only inches wide.
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Hide AdKeenan was again called into action getting smartly down to block a Craig Mayne shot.
Andy Simms had only been on the pitch for three minutes when he set up what proved to be the winner. He sprinted down the left and drove in a low cross for Maguire to turn the ball into the net.
Larne looked more relaxed after the goal with Scott Irvine and Brian McClean both going close. With a minute left Hanna’s angled run into the box saw him somehow strike the upright when a second goal looked certain.
LARNE: Keenan, Todd, Lemon, C.Todd, Wharry, Workman, Irvine, Devine, Maguire, Berry, Hanna. Subs: Simms (Workman), McClean (Irvine), McFetridge, Gibbons.
Report by Paul Campbell
Match reaction in this week’s Larne Times