Glenn Ferguson scored three goals in the first half

Linfield 4-0 Newry Town

Linfield made it five wins in a row with a comprehensive victory over bottom Premier Division club Newry Town.

Glenn Ferguson hit a first half hat-trick after Pat Wall had made the initial breakthrough.

It may have been a disappointing season for Linfield but they have been beaten just once in the league since Christmas.

Still smarting from their Irish Cup exit at Omagh on Thursday night, Linfield showed early promise but lacked a penatrative edge.

However, Newry's resistance was broken when former Cliftonville player Wall cracked a sweet volley past Stuart Addis for the 20th minute opener.

Robert Casey went close to a Newry equaliser when he struck the woodwork after catching Blues keeper Stuart Addis off his line.

But then Ferguson took over. He might not have known all that much about his first on 34 minutes when he blocked an attempted Newry clearance and the ball rebounded into the net.

Ferguson headed in from a Noel Bailie free-kick for his second which put the Blues three up in the 42nd minute.

Then just before the half-time whistle Stephen Collier and Michael Gault set Spike up for his hat-trick goal.

In the second half the gloss was taken off Linfield's victory when central defender Winkie Murphy was sent-off for elbowing Graham lawlor.