Larne vs GAP Connah S Quay FC

The first half passed without a breakthrough. Both sides, still building fitness in the early stages of pre-season, cancelled each other out in a midfield battle that produced few clear chances. The score remained 0-0 at the interval.

The pattern continued deep into the second half. Connah's Quay — who finished their 2025/26 Cymru Premier season with a 1-1 draw against Colwyn Bay on 18 April 2026 — defended resolutely and appeared to have done enough to earn a creditable draw on their trip across the Irish Sea.

But with three minutes of normal time remaining, Gibson struck. The former Grimsby Town and Halesowen Town forward found space inside the box and finished decisively to give Larne the lead. The Nomads had no time to respond. The match ended 1-0.

The decisive moment came at 87' when Montel Gibson — introduced as a substitute in what was effectively his debut after joining the club on 18 June — converted what proved to be the only goal of the game. For a pre-season friendly played at a measured tempo, the late winner gave the contest a sharper finish than the preceding 86 minutes had suggested.

Montel Gibson (Larne) — The new signing made an instant impact, scoring the winner just five days after putting pen to paper. A promising sign for Larne's European preparations.

Larne defence — The Invermen kept a second consecutive pre-season clean sheet, following the 0-0 draw with Stranraer at Stair Park on 20 June 2026 (as reflected in OneFootball's form guide).

Connah's Quay back line — The Nomads' defence frustrated Larne for 86 minutes in difficult conditions away from home. Their organisation was a positive takeaway from a narrow defeat.

Player of the match: Montel Gibson (Larne)

Pre-season friendlies rarely produce detailed match statistics, but the 1-0 scoreline tells a straightforward story. Larne enjoyed the majority of possession and territory on home soil, building on their 0-0 draw with Stranraer three days earlier. Connah's Quay, playing their first pre-season fixture of the summer, were competitive for long spells but lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

The clean sheet is Larne's second in two pre-season outings — a solid foundation for head coach Tiernan Lynch as his side ramp up their preparations.

For Larne, this was the second of a series of pre-season friendlies designed to build match sharpness ahead of the 2026/27 NIFL Premiership campaign and potential European qualifiers. The Invermen began pre-season with a 0-0 draw at Stranraer on 20 June and will continue their schedule with further fixtures.

Connah's Quay Nomads now face Queen of the South on 27 June 2026 in another pre-season test in Scotland, as they prepare for the 2026/27 Cymru Premier season.

A typical pre-season friendly decided by a moment of quality from a new signing. Gibson's 87th-minute strike gave Larne a narrow win they perhaps deserved on balance of play, while Connah's Quay will take encouragement from a disciplined defensive display. The result itself matters less than the minutes banked and the sharpness gained.