County Antrim Shield: Glens beat Blues to progress as holders Carrick bow out

Glentoran were the comfortable 3-1 victors over Linfield at the Oval in the first round of the County Antrim Shield, while holders Carrick Rangers exited after being defeated by Crusaders after a penalty shootout.

Jordan Jenkins struck twice inside the opening six minutes to hand the home side a dream start in east Belfast before Charlie Chapman's early second-half strike threatened a Linfield fightback.

The Blues could not find a way back level after Cal Weatherup restored the home side's two-goal advantage.

At Seaview, Jacob Blaney and Owen Wardell gave the Crues a comfortable lead before an impressive final five minutes from the holders forced the tie to be decided on penalties.

However, Declan Caddell's side were the 5-4 victors in the penalty shootout to book their spot in the next round.

Jenkins double shoots down youthful Blues

The home side could not have asked for a better start, taking the lead inside two minutes when James Douglas held off the Linfield defence and diverted the ball into the path of Jenkins, who fired low into the bottom corner past a helpless Aidan Glavin.

That set the tone, and the east Belfast side doubled their advantage soon after, as Daniel Larmour nodded Ryan Cooney's free-kick across goal for Jenkins to slot home from close range for his second of the evening.

The Glens settled into their passing rhythm from there and should have extended their lead after the half-hour, when Cooney picked out Josh Kelly unmarked on the edge of the box, but the midfielder could not beat Glavin in the Linfield goal.

However, Linfield came out fighting after the break and almost had an immediate reward when Dylan Wells' curling 25-yard free-kick beat Crellin, only to cannon back off the near post.

They went close again soon after, Wells this time whipping a free-kick to the far post for Donatas Jermakovas, who rose highest but could only flash his header wide.

The Linfield pressure eventually told when Chapman picked up possession at the back post and earned himself a yard of space before firing past Billy Crellin at the near post.

However, there was to be no fightback as the home side restored their two-goal cushion when Cooney's long throw was flicked on at the near post and substitute Weatherup bundled it over the line to ensure the Glens' progression into the next round.

Ballymacash Rangers 0-6 Ballymena United