Joel Cooper's first-half hat-trick secured a 3-1 win for Linfield over Portadown, widening their lead at the top of the Irish Premiership table. Cooper's impressive performance saw him score three goals in the opening 26 minutes, while Portadown managed to pull one back in the second half. Elsewhere, Glentoran's match against Larne was abandoned due to floodlight failure, and Crusaders and Cliftonville secured victories over Coleraine and Loughgall respectively.
Joel Cooper 's first-half hat-trick gave Linfield a 3-1 win over Portadown on Saturday as the Blues moved 15 points clear at the top of the Irish Premiership table.
The leaders are now unbeaten in seven games in the league, although their record of six matches without conceding a goal in all competitions comes to an end. Cooper completed his hat-trick midway through the first half as he was gifted the ball by Portadown captain Gary Thompson before finding the roof of the net with a cool left-foot finish from a central position.
LINFIELD PORTADOWN IRISH PREMIERSHIP JOEL COOPER FOOTBALL
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