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Gareth Fullerton

Glenavon youngster Christopher Atherton rewrites history books in League Cup

Christopher Atherton - remember the name.

The talented teen came off the bench for Glenavon in Tuesday night's BetMcLean League Cup rout of Dollingstown.

Gary Hamilton's side romped to a comfortable 6-0 win at Mourneview Park, with Atherton playing a part in the Lurgan Blues' sixth goal scored by Matthew Snoddy.

Read more: NI League Cup LIVE score updates from Tuesday's games

At just 13 years and 329 days old, Atherton becomes the youngest player to feature in a first class match in the United Kingdom.

According to Northern Ireland football stats expert Marshall Gillespie, Atherton beat the previous record set by Eamon Collins who was 14 years and 323 days old when he debuted for Blackpool back in September 1980.

The youngster - who came off the bench to replace Jack Malone - is the latest teenage talent to make his mark in the Irish League this season.

Last week Conor Haughey became Glentoran's youngest ever player when he came on against Lisburn Distillery in the Co Antrim Shield.

Haughey - a younger brother of former Irish League ace Marty Donnelly - made his senior Glens debut at the age of 15 years, three months and eight days.

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