Football: LOCKHART SECURES IT; GLENTORAN 3 NEWRY 0

GLENTORAN maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a comprehensive victory over Newry Town.

The visitors came to the Oval searching for their first league win in eight attempts, but lacked any real punch when it came to finishing.

The Glens were more eager right from the start and were finally rewarded on 17 minutes. Tim McCann rolled a free kick into the path of Darren Lockhart and the midfielder drove a low shot which goalkeeper David O'Hare could only help in to the net.

Newry were on the back foot for most of the half as the chances continued to flow for the home side, Mark Glendinning, Martin Hunter and Fin Turay all went close.

But with half time approaching Newry suddenly came back into the game and could easily have left the Glens with red faces.

First, Robert Casey missed a golden opportunity, with the goal at his mercy he lashed the ball wildly over the bar.

Then deep in added time Byrne rolled a free kick into the path of Andrew Morrow who connected well but was just inches off target.

Glentoran regained their composure in the second half and it seemed only a matter of time before they increased their lead.

Newry's resistance was broken again on the hour and it was Lockhart again with the telling finish.

A deep free kick from inside his own area by Nixon, Heylock nodded down and it was left to Lockhart to slip the ball over the exposed O'Hare.

Newry made a double substitution at this stage but it was to make little difference with Nixon, celebrating his 22nd birthday today, putting the Glens in a party mood by sliding in a third from close range a minute from time.

Boss Roy Coyle was glad to get this one out of the way. "Normally after a Big Two game and somebody gets a good result their attitude is different and certainly in the first 45 minutes our attitude was not right.

"But we got better and most importantly got the three points.

"If you're going to contest championships you have got to try and do the business at home and so far we have achieved that" said Coyle.

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