Northern Ireland round-up: Glentoran extend lead

Glentoran FC ended 2001 on top of the Irish League table after a 4-0 win at Ards, stretching their lead to five points after Linfield FC drew 1-1 with second-placed Portadown FC.

Ards say goodbye
Ards said farewell to Castlereagh Park in unhappy fashion and Glentoran showed no sympathy, ruthlessly disposing of Frankie Parkes's struggling team. Midfielder Marty Hunter scored the opener after ten minutes and two more goals in the space of a minute from Tim McCann and Michael Halliday put Glentoran in complete control by the interval. Halliday added a second and Glentoran's fourth on the hour.

Goal in injury time
Portadown seemed set to stay just three points behind Glentoran until a goal two minutes into injury time rescued a point for Linfield in a 1-1 draw at Windsor Park. The visitors went in front in the 12th minute through striker Gary Hamilton, until, deep into added time, Portadown failed to clear a Linfield attack and Chris Morgan fired the ball in off the left-hand post.

Glenavon win
The only other game to survive the weather ended in a 2-1 home win for Glenavon FC over Cliftonville FC. Dean and Andy Smith scored Glenavon's goals before Pat Wall pulled one back late on.

Postponed games
The postponed game between Crusaders FC and Coleraine FC has been re-scheduled for New Year's Day. The game between Omagh Town FC and Newry Town FC was also called off due to the weather conditions but no new date has yet been set.