A hat-trick from Danny Gibson has Carrick Rangers 5-2 ahead after the first leg of the Irish Premiership promotion/relegation play-off.
The visitors raced out of the blocks and never looked back, with Carrick’s top scorer Gibson finding the net for the first time after 11 minutes.
A perfectly placed header from Luke McCullough fell invitingly at Gibson’s feet following a corner, and the former Glentoran forward made no mistake, dispatching confidently at the near post to set the Gers on their way.
Carrick quickly doubled their advantage just six minutes later. Gibson turned provider this time, slipping a clever through-ball beyond defender Lee Upton. Paul Heatley sprinted clear, keeping his composure brilliantly to slide a cool finish low and inside the near post.
Stephen Baxter’s men weren’t finished there. On the half-hour mark, a trademark long throw from Joe Crowe caused chaos for Annagh’s defenders who struggled desperately to clear their lines.
Nedas Maciulaitis reacted quickest, heading the loose ball towards Gibson, who fired powerfully past goalkeeper Joel Little from close range for his second goal of a relentless opening half.
With the hosts still reeling, Gibson completed his hat-trick four minutes before the interval. Crowe once again played a pivotal role, flicking Little’s long goal kick perfectly into Gibson’s path.
The frontman raced clear and drilled a precise low shot inside the near post to crown a ruthless first-half performance from the Premiership side.
After the break, Ciaran McGurgan’s side emerged determined to salvage something and managed to reduce the deficit on 49 minutes. Half-time substitute Craig Taylor’s long throw soared into the area, where Upton rose highest, planting a firm header into the net from six yards to offer the Championship outfit brief hope of a comeback.
But Carrick soon regained their firm grip on the game, striking their fifth goal just before the hour.
The impressive Gibson was once again influential, nodding Crowe’s long free-kick into a crowded penalty area.
A fortunate deflection off Maciulaitis guided the ball straight into the path of Heatley, who clinically fired home his second of the night.
Gibson almost grabbed his fourth shortly afterwards, brilliantly rounding Nathan Kerr, but under pressure, dragged his effort narrowly wide.
However, the Mid-Ulster outfit had the final word deep into stoppage time, as substitute Taylor curled a magnificent free-kick into the top corner, offering a glimmer of optimism heading into Friday night’s second leg.
