Cliftonville eased into the final of the Co Antrim Shield with a very comfortable 3-0 win over a young but very lacklustre Glentoran at Windsor Park.

Barry Johnston and a Sean Ward own goal had the Reds coasting at the break before Chris Scannell put a seal on the win midway through the second half on a night when it was just too easy for Eddie Patterson's men.

With Saturday's huge top of the table clash with Linfield in mind Glens boss Alan McDonald elected to give the Oval's kids a run out, with former Hearts trainee Johnny Taylor making his competitive debut after breaking his cheekbone in a friendly with Dundela in pre-season.

As for the Reds, Eddie Patterson didn't have much choice with his team selection as injuries provoked a 'make-do' approach to the game. And with so many of the big name players missing it was unsurprising that there was a distinct lack of quality in the opening stages.

Neither side really got to grips with the game – the Glens had a couple of half chances with Darren Boyce, playing up front alongside Waterworth, having the best of them when he headed over from Jamie McGovern's cross after good work from Ryan Berry.

But as the half wore on it was Cliftonville who began to assert their authority on the game – they too may have been weakened but they were much more experienced than their opponents.

Chris Scannell's cross found Hamill making a run into the box and although the ex-Glenman fired his volley over from 12 yards, it set the tone for the rest of the half as the Reds piled on the pressure on the Glentoran goal.

Barry Holland was next up to have a go as he found himself in nosebleed territory in the Glens penalty area but fired just over from Hamill's cross.

Hamill had another chance, this one manufactured himself, as he showed neat skill to fashion the space for a shot and only the outstretched boot of Philip Simpson prevented what would have been a great goal. Eventually the Glens buckled and went a goal down through a terrific goal from Johnston on 38 minutes.

Chris Scannell's cross went deep but Francis Murphy kept the attack alive and pulled the ball back to Johnston who sent a rocket of a shot into the roof of the net from 16 yards out.

Three minutes before the break it was two, though this one was in somewhat fortuitous circumstances. Hamill's corner caused chaos in the box and Ward headed past Elliott Morris who complained he was elbowed in the melee.

The game was all but won by that stage and the second half was nowhere near as entertaining as the first. McDonald threw on Michael Halliday and Daryl Fordyce to try and inject some sort of attacking play into the Glens side but it was to no avail and they literally had no opportunities on goal.

Cliftonville too had sensed that the game was over and although they were still on top, they weren't putting as many men forward as in the first half.

A Donaghy header was cleared off the line by McGovern on 71 minutes in a rare second half chance on goal.

However the Reds did manage to add to the scoring with 15 minutes remaining with the move of the game as Murphy, who was immense throughout, burst down the left and planted an inch perfect cross onto the head of the unmarked Chris Scannell who, unmarked, made no mistake from eight yards.

The game petered out then – Glentoran made no attempt to fight back and the Reds were happy with their lot.

They more than deserved their victory and now after a poor start to the season, they now look forward to the first final of the season against Linfield.

GLENTORAN: Morris, Johnny Taylor, Ward, Simpson, Black, McGovern, Gardner, Berry, Neill, Boyce, Waterworth. Subs: Hill, Fordyce, Halliday, James Taylor (GK), Harris.

CLIFTONVILLE: Connolly, Donaghy, R Scannell, B Holland, Johnston, O'Connor, M Holland, Hamill, C Scannell, McMullan, Murphy. Subs: O'Neill, Patterson, Alexander, Pearce, Boyce.

Referee: Alan Black (Antrim).