Sports Direct Irish Premiership: Top and bottom six beginning to take shape

Reigning champions Larne are a point clear at the top of the Sports Direct Irish Premiership, while the chasing pack of Cliftonville, Linfield and Crusaders maintained their 100% records in the early part of the season.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Glentoran and Carrick Rangers in a night that saw 17 goals, three penalty kicks and one red card.

Tiernan Lynch's title holders eased to a 3-0 home win in the Shane's Hill derby against Ballymena United.

All the goals came in the second half, with strike duo Lee Bonis and Andy Ryan putting the Inver Park men two up, before Leroy Millar grabbed a late third against his former club.

Cliftonville won 3-0 for the second match in succession - this time away to Newry City - with all the goals coming in the first half, just as they did on their opening win at home to Glenavon.

Luke Turner put the Reds in front early on, before Ben Wilson opened his account for Jim Magilton's men and Rory Hale rounded off an excellent first half for the visitors with the third.

Joel Cooper's wonderful individual strike was the highlight of Linfield's 4-2 home win against Glenavon.

After Chris McKee had put the home side in front, Stephen Teggart levelled for Gary Hamilton's visitors. Cooper then weaved his way past three defenders from the right before finishing to restore Linfield's lead in the second half.

Chris Shields scored from the rebound after his own penalty was saved, before the midfielder then converted from the spot after McKee had ben fouled in the area. Callum Birney pulled a late consolation back for the Lurgan Blues.

Coleraine couldn't make it three wins from three as they were beaten 2-0 away to Carrick Rangers.

Carrick, who lost by the same scoreline at home to Newry on Saturday, went in front through Kyle Cherry's looping first half header, before David Cushley converted from the penalty spot after Cherry was bundled over in the box by Jamie Glackin.

Glackin then received a second yellow card after the break to compound the misery for Oran Kearney's men.

The other tie saw Loughgall beaten 1-0 at home by Glentoran.

Daire O'Connor scored the only goal of the game when he sidefooted home from Niall McGinn's cutback after the former Northern Ireland winger had robbed Pablo Andrade in the edge of the Loughgall box.

This weekend's fixtures see Linfield go to Ballymena on Friday night (7.45pm).

On Saturday, Coleraine host Larne, while Crusaders go to Glentoran in the big ties at the top end of the table, while there are two important matches at the other end with Dungannon home to Loughgall and Newry City away to Glenavon.

The other match sees Cliftonville meeting Carrick Rangers at Solitude.