Gault's treble in Whitewash

MICHAEL Gault stole the headlines from strikers Peter Thompson and Glenn Ferguson last night as the Linfield midfielder scored the first hat-trick of his career in the Blues' magnificent 6-0 victory at Ballyskeagh.

Normally noted for his work rate rather than his goal-scoring prowess, Gault scored twice in the first-half before completing his treble in injury-time.

David Jeffrey's side continue to lead the Premier League with a two-point cushion ahead of second-placed Glentoran, with the two teams taking a break from championship action next Saturday when they go head-to-head in the CIS Insurance Cup final.

Lisburn Distillery had an early chance to score when Sean Armstrong picked up a loose ball on four minutes, but the opportunity took him by surprise and he was unable to catch Alan Mannus off guard with a cheeky chip.

Thompson then had a snapshot from the edge of the box which he scooped over the bar before Linfield took the lead on 16 minutes.

Pat McShane sent in a cross from the left which was handled at the back post by former Linfield midfielder Ryan McCann as he challenged Thompson in the air.

With Linfield missing a number of spot-kicks over the last couple of seasons the responsibility was passed on to Gault. He didn't do an awful lot better from 12 yards than any of his team-mates as Michael Dougherty saved his right-foot effort, but Gault made up for his miss by netting the rebound.

The 22-two-year-old got his second of the game on the half-hour mark. The Blues won a free-kick wide on the right which Paul McAreavey floated into the six-yard box and Gault was on hand to nod the ball home at the back post.

Six minutes before half-time John Martin was sent clear with a chance to bring the Whites back into the game, but after taking on Noel Bailie he hit the side netting with a shot.

Another Paul McAreavey free-kick resulted in Linfield's third goal of the game on 42 minutes.

This time he clipped the ball in from the left side of the box and Peter Thompson rose highest to score his 25th goal of the season.

Distillery made things a lot harder for the league leaders at the beginning of the second-half but 18 minutes in Ferguson fed a great through ball to Thompson and the Northern Ireland striker saw his powerful shot from 18 yards well saved by Dougherty.

Gault turned provider for Linfield's fourth goal on 73 minutes, he showed some trickery on the right-hand side before supplying Thompson with the pass.

Dougherty saved his shot and as the ball looped up into the air Oran Kearney headed home from just a couple of yards out.

Again McAreavey had a part to play when Linfield notched their fifth of the night.

The ball was played out to him on the left and his pinpoint cross was headed home from close range by Ferguson.

Jeffrey threw substitutes David Larmour and Aidan O'Kane into the action for the final 10 minutes and they linked up for the sixth goal in injury-time.

After picking up a pass Larmour had a shot saved, the Distillery defence stood still while Gault picked up the rebound and he steadied himself before firing home his hat-trick goal from 12 yards out.

LISBURN DISTILLERY: Dougherty, Spence, S. Thompson, McCann, Buchanan, Coffey, Martin, Hagan, Armstrong, Dickson, F. Murphy. Subs: West, Kilmartin, Willis.

LINFIELD: Mannus, Ervin, McShane, Gault, W. Murphy, McAreavey, Kearney, Kingsberry, Ferguson, P. Thompson, Bailie. Subs: Picking, Larmour, O'Kane.

Referee: Ken Ginnett (Newtownabbey).