Glentoran II boss Norman Kelly praised his players for showing a "winning mentality" after they bounced back with a commanding 4-0 victory over Coleraine Reserves in the Premiership Development League.
The young Glens moved up to third in the table with a convincing performance at Ashfield Boys' High School.
Rhys Walsh opened the scoring on seven minutes, with Mal Smith doubling their advantage five minutes before the break.
Read more: McMenamin admits new injury concern as he opens up on 'fracture' saga
Joshua Stewart added a third in the 47th minute with Smith completing the scoring three minutes from time with his second of the game.
It was the perfect response for Kelly whose side bounced back from last week’s heavy 6-1 defeat at the hands of Dungannon.
Kelly said: "Last week was a tough one to take for a very young team but we will learn lessons from nights like that. I was delighted with the attitude and performance from the boys on Monday and to have some of my regulars back in the team."
Although keen not to entertain talk of attempting to push on and challenge the top two, Kelly outlined how it is still important for players to go into every game wanting to win, even if the overarching aim is development.
“The league position is not my priority with so many young players coming through from game to game. I do say, however, a winning mentality is a must for any player, as it will keep you in the right place in the league come the end of the season." he added.
The manager hailed the impact made by two goal hero Smith, who he admits he is lucky to count upon in different games, such is the competitive nature of Glentoran's first team squad and the difficulty of breaking into it.
“Mal is a very talented player and to have someone like him in your team on occasions will only benefit the younger players. Mal is one of many players waiting for that moment when they get the call, it's important they are match ready.”
Coleraine counterpart Marty Smith believes that his side were punished for some sloppy defending in the game which ultimately cost them.
"We are obviously disappointed to lose the game, but I don't feel the score line reflected the game," he said.
"Glentoran deserved to win but I thought 4-0 was harsh on us. We give away some really poor goals and despite creating a number of opportunities we failed to take any."
Smith also lamented injuries in the wake of the UEFA Youth League run which has decimated his squad in recent weeks and lead to some inconsistent performances and results.
He added: "Our mixed results could be put down to a number of things. Our run in the UEFA Youth League was fantastic but it has certainly taken its toll on the players.
"We have been working with a thread bare squad in the last month with so many injuries. On Monday night we had five regulars out injured and lost another one a few hours before the game to illness. That does. however, then creates opportunities for others and some of our even younger players at the club have stepped up and done well.
"Going forward we need to cut out individual errors as they have proved costly to us over the last few weeks."
Despite their mixed bag of the season so far, the Bannsiders ' boss has been pleased by the progress made by so many young players.
"Our squad as a whole is one of the youngest, if not the youngest squad in the 20s league. The huge majority of the squad could all still play u18s so it's a learning curve for many of them to be playing against more experienced and physically stronger players," he said.
"We wanted the boys to be tested and we knew before the season that we would have some difficult days with such a young squad and that's been proven. We have also put on some great performances since the beginning of the season and a lot of the players are moving on the right direction.
"We aren't overly concerned with the league table at the minute. Of course, we would like to stay in the top half but the 20s league table can be difficult to analyse as from one week to the next teams can put out very different sides, ourselves included. When senior players come down to play in 20s it can change the dynamics massively.
"Some weeks it works for you and some weeks against you so I don't feel we should be judging any team based on their league position. We will keep working and keep trying to improve individually and as a group."
Elsewhere, a crazy game at Midgley Park saw Glenavon Reserves inflict a second straight defeat on Linfield Reserves, as the Lurgan Blues triumphed 5-4 to extend their own unbeaten run to seven games.
Once again aided by the presence of several first teamers gaining match fitness, the away side broke the deadlock early in the game as Joshua Doyle tucked the ball home from Liam Corr’s cross with just four minutes on the clock.
Linfield responded on 20 minutes as Noah Stewart hauled them level. Yet, parity would be restored for just six minutes, as Jamie Doran met an in swinging corner to put Glenavon back in front.
Aaron Boyd equalised again for the Swifts on the half hour mark, as he caught out the goalkeeper with a near post effort. Stephen Thompson’s side would go in ahead at the break however, with Michael O’Connor curling home a free kick to close a chaotic first half.
The young Blues were fast out of the blocks in the second half, with two goals in a five minute spell temporarily turning the game on its head. Aodhan Doherty netted Linfield’s third equaliser on 55 minutes before Stewart got his second to put Michael Gault’s side ahead for the first time in the game on the hour mark.
Doyle made it 4-4 with his second of the game six minutes later with substitute Cohen Henderson netting a late winner in the 83rd minute with his first touch of the game.
That result enabled Crusaders to open a three-point gap over Linfield at the top of the table as they beat Ballymena 2-1 in a tightly fought contest. Ethan Johnston gave Ballymena the lead on 22 minutes and Crusaders were forced to wait until the second half to respond.
Bradley Maguire netted an equaliser on 56 minutes, with Caolan Millen bagging the winner ten minutes from time as the league leaders made it four wins on the bounce.
Larne secured only their second win of the campaign, with a narrow 2-1 comeback victory over Portadown at Inver Park.
James McMullen put the visitors in front on 54 minutes, as they looked on course for a third straight league win.
Yet, two goals in five minutes enabled Larne to complete a swift turn around to take home all three points. Jack Hastings equalised in the 65th minute with Kye Livingston netting the winner from the penalty spot with twenty minutes remaining.
READ NEXT:
- McMenamin admits new injury concern as he opens up on 'fracture' saga
Former Linfield striker Manzinga opens up on 'racist abuse' playing in Hungary
Sign up to Belfast Live's sport newsletter and get news to your inbox
Caldwell recalls hilarious Izaguirre 'face plant' moment against Celtic
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
