Holders Linfield stamped their authority on the game as early as the fourth minute when Peter Thompson pounced to turn home the loose ball after Bangor 'keeper Ryan Brown spilled a Glenn Ferguson shot.

But they had to wait until first half stoppage time to double their lead thanks to a Glenn Ferguson spot-kick awarded for a Stephen Munn foul on Thompson on the edge of the area.

And Ferguson made it 3-0 on the hour with a strong volley from the edge of the area after he met a low right sided Michael Gault cross.

He missed out on the chance of grabbing a hat-trick just two minutes later, though, when he had a penalty well saved by Brown at the right post.