Northern Ireland round-up: Linfield go third

Champions Linfield FC took advantage of Glentoran FC's second defeat of the season on Saturday to move into third place in the National League table.

Manager's prediction
Linfield crushed Coleraine FC 7-1 as Glentoran crashed to a 2-1 defeat at Omagh Town FC. Omagh manager Roy McCreadie insisted before the game that his side would beat the leaders and he was proved correct as Dermot Doherty scored both of Omagh's goals at Saint Julian's Road stadium.

Late winner
The striker, who recently returned from the United States, opened the scoring after 13 minutes, rising at the near post to nod in a left-wing free-kick from Austin Friel. Glentoran responded well, levelling within a minute. Tim McCann rolled a quick free-kick to Darren Lockhart, whose left-foot shot took a deflection on the way into the net. The game looked to be heading for a draw until Doherty scored from a Friel corner six minutes from time.

Linfield rout
Linfield leapfrogged Coleraine after their stunning win at Windsor Park. Darren Murphy, Russell Kelly and Glenn Ferguson sent Linfield in three goals to the good at the break, before Chris Morgan made it 4-0 in the 56th minute. Although Sean Armstrong hit back with 15 minutes remaining, there was no stopping Linfield and two goals from substitute Justin McBride and another from Andy Hunter completed the scoring.

Third consecutive victory
Crusaders FC recorded their third consecutive victory, having won just two of their first 21 matches, with a 1-0 success at Glenavon FC. They recovered from the 28th-minute dismissal of Davy Munster to secure three points with Colin Magill's superb long-range free-kick seven minutes before the break enough to separate the sides.

Scannell the home hero
Cliftonville FC's 2-0 defeat of Ards FC was only their second at their Solitude stadium this season, although they have had to play many of their matches away from home due to redevelopment work at the ground. Chris Scannell proved the home hero with a goal in each half.