Glens beat Blues to progress as holders Carrick bow out

Glentoran were the comfortable 3-1 victors over Linfield at the Oval in the first round of the County Antrim Shield, while holders Carrick Rangers exited after being defeated by Crusaders after a penalty shootout.

Jordan Jenkins struck twice inside the opening six minutes to hand the home side a dream start in east Belfast before Charlie Chapman's early second-half strike threatened a Linfield fightback.

The Blues could not find a way back level and Cal Weatherup restored the home side's two-goal advantage in the closing stages.

At Seaview, Jacob Blaney and Owen Wardell gave the Crues a comfortable lead before an impressive final five minutes from the holders forced the tie to be decided on penalties.

However, Declan Caddell's side were the 5-4 victors in the penalty shootout to book their spot in the next round.

The home side could not have asked for a better start, taking the lead inside two minutes when James Douglas held off the Linfield defence and diverted the ball into the path of Jenkins, who fired low into the bottom corner past a helpless Aidan Glavin.

That set the tone, and the east Belfast side doubled their advantage soon after, as Daniel Larmour nodded Ryan Cooney's free-kick across goal for Jenkins to slot home from close range for his second of the evening.

The Glens settled into their passing rhythm from there and should have extended their lead after the half-hour, when Cooney picked out Josh Kelly unmarked on the edge of the box, but the midfielder could not beat Glavin in the Linfield goal.

However, David Healy's side came out fighting after the break and almost had an immediate reward when Dylan Wells' curling 25-yard free-kick beat Crellin, only to cannon back off the near post.

The Linfield pressure eventually told when Chapman picked up possession at the back post and earned himself a yard of space before firing past Billy Crellin at the near post.

However, there was to be no fightback as the home side restored their two-goal cushion when Cooney's long throw was flicked on at the near post and substitute Weatherup bundled it over the line to ensure the Glens' progression into the next round.

After an impressive victory over Glentoran in the Irish Premiership, the Crues came into their County Antrim Shield match against the holders with confidence.

The home side made a bright start and broke the deadlock on 25 minutes when Blaney converted Scot Rough's pass from close range.

Just two minutes after the restart Donal Rocks was shown a straight red card for Declan Caddell's side.

However, they reacted well and doubled their lead on 60 minutes when Wardell fired home after impressive build-up play from Elliot Dunlop.

In the 83rd minute, Michael Place was given his marching orders for a foul on Lloyd Anderson.

Just like the Crues, Carrick scored shortly after their red card with Danny Gibson heading home the rebound of his penalty which had been saved by stopper Shea Callister.

An own goal from Rough in added time sent the tie to penalties but Stephen Baxter's side could not complete the impressive comeback and were defeated 5-4 in the shootout to end their Shield defence.

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H&W Welders 0-4 Bangor

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