LARNE boss Gary Haveron maintains there will be “twists and turns” in the title race after his side beat Cliftonville 2-0 at Inver Park – and opened up a six-point lead at the top of the Sports Direct Premiership.
Second-placed Glentoran’s 1-1 draw against Linfield at the Oval – in what was the first round of post-split fixtures – means the east Antrim side need seven points from their last four matches to guarantee a third title in four seasons with the top two scheduled to clash in east Belfast on April 17.
A goal in each half from Matty Lusty and Andy Ryan was enough to earn the three points against a lively Cliftonville side showing little sign of having an eye on Friday night’s Irish Cup semi-final against Dungannon Swifts at Windsor Park, a repeat of last year’s decider which the latter won on penalties.
Larne too are on Irish Cup duty next weekend when they face Coleraine at Windsor Park on Saturday, the Bannsiders tuning up for that with a come-from-behind 2-1 win at Dungannon.
Haveron said of the title race: “There’s still a long way to go – no-one here is getting carried away. There will be twists and turns in these last few games.
“I don’t think we were anywhere near our best against Cliftonville but we did play very good football at times. I’m delighted to get the two goals, a clean sheet and three points.
“We could have got the game called off (due to international call-ups) but I felt it was the right thing to keep playing and build momentum.”
After Saturday’s big cup tie with Coleraine, the pair clash again three days later, this time at Inver Park.
Haveron added: “We can throw caution to the wind in the cup, it’s a one-off game. We will go there well prepared and we look forward to the challenge.”
Old foes Linfield dealt a blow to Glentoran’s hopes of a first title in 17 years with Matt Yates putting the visitors ahead before Aaron McEneff levelled from the penalty spot.
Goals from Joel Cooper and Mark Coyle helped third-placed Coleraine to victory over Dungannon at Stangmore Park after Kobie Moore had given the home side an early lead.
The win sees Ruaidhrí Higgins’ side move to within two points of Glentoran.
Higgins said: ”It was a big win for us. We can focus on the cup now. It’s fantastic – you always want to be involved at the business end of the season."
In the first post-split match in the bottom section of the table, Stephen Baxter’s Carrick Rangers hammered the manager’s former club Crusaders – where he was in charge for almost 20 years – 6-1 at Taylor ‘s Avenue, former Crue Paul Heatley weighing in with a double.
Declan Caddell’s struggling side are just a point clear of Glenavon – who occupy the automatic relegation spot – although Michael O’Connor’s team have a match in hand and a better goal difference.
Caddell, who succeeded Baxter as Crues boss two years ago, was scathing in his assessment of his misfiring players.
“Poor from us, embarrassing. The fans came and gave their support as they have all season and, once again, have been let down. The players should be embarrassed by the performance,” blasted Caddell, whose side visit relegation rivals Glenavon on April 18.
“They let me down and the fans down but first and foremost they have let themselves down.
“We have to wipe it clean and go again. That should hurt today, it should really, really hurt.
“Every game is significant. We are going into two home games now and we need to be a lot better.
“If we turn up like that for those games, it is not going to be any good. Very poor from start to finish and I can’t put my finger on why.”
Baxter said it hurts him to see Crusaders in a relegation dogfight.
“Crusaders is a club that I absolutely love with all my heart. The memories that I have will never be taken away and the achievements that we got together were very special times,” he added.
“It is disappointing to see where they are right now and, hopefully, they will be able to regroup, get themselves together and have a wee shot at trying to stay up.
“Honestly, it is heartbreaking for me to see what is happening and disappointing at the same time.”