 Michael Gault grabbed a hat-trick for Linfield |
Michael Gault scored a hat-trick as Linfield continued their dominant form. Gault scored the opener on 15 minutes, firing home the rebound after Michael Dougherty saved his penalty.
The midfielder headed in the second on 29 minutes, Peter Thompson made it 3-0 at half-time with a backpost header and Oran Kearney grabbed the fourth on 73.
Glenn Ferguson's close range header from a Paul McAreavey cross after 76 and Gault's third in the final minute rounded off a convincing victory.
Sean Armstrong missed an early opportunity for the Whites, lobbing over the bar after an uncharacteristic error by Noel Bailie.
A handball resulted in the Blues being awarded their penalty and Gault was relieved to fire home after missing from the spot.
Chris Kingsberry blasted a volley over the bar before Gault met McAreavey's inswinging corner from five yards out.
Another McAreavey free-kick provided the ammunition for Thompson's headed effort and the striker then saw his shot fingertipped onto the post by Dougherty.
Gault's deflected shot came off the crossbar and the midfielder then provided the cross for Kearney to head over the line after Thompson's initial effort had been saved.
Ferguson scored the fifth before Gault completed his hat-trick.
Carnegie Premier League
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MMIX
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