Linfield and Ards romp to County Antrim Shield victories

Peter Thompson is about to fire Linfield into the lead against Dundela

A Peter Thompson hat-trick helped holders Linfield hammer Dundela 5-0 in their County Antrim Shield opener as Ards routed Ballymoney United 9-0.

Thompson poked the Blues ahead on 25 minutes and then hit two second-half goals with Aaron Burns also scoring twice in the closing stages.

Two David McAllister goals helped Ards take a 4-0 lead against Ballymoney.

McAllister's brother Eamon was also on target with two Neil Dougan penalties bringing up the Ards tally to nine.

David McAllister's two early goals in the third and 14th minutes were split by a Josh Cahoon strike with Gary Warwick scoring the goal of the game in the 27th minute after a slick passing move.

Warwick turned provider to cross for Stephen Hislop to head the fifth Ards goal on 51 with substitute Stuart Muldrew scrambling in the sixth on 72.

Former Crusaders man Eamon McAllister curled in a superb seventh on 85 before Dougan added his two late spot-kicks on 87 and 89.

At Windsor Park, Dundela keeper Jonathan Sergeant made a couple of smart early saves to deny Ross Clarke and Andrew Waterworth but was then beaten by Thompson's close-range finish on 25 minutes.

Sergeant continued to keep the Duns in the game as he saved Clarke and Sean Ward efforts but the visiting keeper failed to gather a cross on 49 minutes which allowed Thompson to net.

Good work by Clarke set up Burns to score Linfield's third goal on 67 and Thompson completed his hat-trick on 86 with Burns adding the fifth two minutes from time.

County Antrim Shield first round

Linfield 5-0 Dundela

Ards 9-0 Ballymoney United