Northern Ireland round-up: Portadown hold their nerve

Portadown FC remain two points ahead of Glentoran FC at the top after a 1-0 win against Crusaders FC.

Hamilton goal
The reigning champions in Northern Ireland had something of an off day at home against Crusaders after a blistering 5-0 win at Glenavon FC on Boxing Day but still came away with the points after Gary Hamilton scored the only goal of the game with 13 minutes to go at Shamrock Park.

Glentoran in second
Glentoran remain in second place after a comfortable 2-0 win at home against Omagh Town FC. Andy Smith opened the scoring from the penalty spot after he fell under a challenge from John McElroy inside the area, and Scott Young provided the through-ball for Darren Armour to complete the scoring.

Coleraine in command
Further down the table, Coleraine FC's good run of form continued with a 3-0 win at home against Institute FC. Barry Curran opened the scoring after just two minutes, but it was not until Institute's veteran defender Ray McGuinness was dismissed for dissent ten minutes into the second half that Coleraine pressed their advantage. Curran got on to the scoresheet again after 72 minutes and Tony Gorman added insult to injury for the visitors by scoring the home side'e third goal ten minutes later.

Six for Linfield
The most dramatic result of the day saw Linfield FC earn their first victory in five games with a 6-0 win at bottom side Newry Town FC. Stephen Shaw scored a hat-trick for the visitors, opening the scoring in the seventh minute, but Linfield's other five goals did not come until the final quarter of the match.

Shaw hat-trick
When Linfield did start scoring again midway through the second half they added two goals in as many minutes, first from Davy Larmour then from Justin McBride. Shaw then scored his second after 77 minutes, Paul McKnight made it 5-0 after 83 minutes and Shaw completed the scoring and his hat-trick in the 85th minute.

Lisburn on a roll
Lisburn Distillery FC made it four wins in a row as they recorded a 2-0 win against Cliftonville FC at Solitude, both goals coming from Mark Holland. The striker made the breakthrough midway through the first half, reacting quickest when the bounce beat Cliftonville goalkeeper Paul Straney to head the ball into the empty net. Holland scored again five minutes from the end when he converted a penalty kick awarded after Liam Fleming had fouled him.

Glenavon hold Ards
In today's other game, Ards FC and Glenavon shared a 1-1 draw at Taylor's Avenue, Carrickfergus. Marc McCann put Glenavon ahead in the 26th minute from the penalty spot but Sean Cleary levelled for the home side just two minutes later.