Defeat a cruel blow for Glenavon

Glentoran claimed all three points after beating Glenavon 2-1 in an action packed afternoon at Mourneview Park.
Glenavon's Eoin Bradley and Glentoran's Kym Nelson in action at Mourneview Park.Glenavon's Eoin Bradley and Glentoran's Kym Nelson in action at Mourneview Park.
Glenavon's Eoin Bradley and Glentoran's Kym Nelson in action at Mourneview Park.

Gary Hamilton’s side can count themselves unfortunate not to have taken something from the game as they dominated long spells of the second half and having pulled back level they looked the most likely to win the match.

However, David Scullion stunned the home fans by firing the ball home ten minutes from the end.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Earlier, Andy McGrory almost fired the home side into a second minute lead, Kevin Braniff played him in but the winger’s low drive flew just wide.

Glenavon's Eoin Bradley and Glentoran's Kym Nelson in action at Mourneview Park.Glenavon's Eoin Bradley and Glentoran's Kym Nelson in action at Mourneview Park.
Glenavon's Eoin Bradley and Glentoran's Kym Nelson in action at Mourneview Park.

Glentoran’s first effort of note came on ten minutes with David Scullion trying his luck from distance but James McGrath was well behind his effort.

Minutes later Fra McCaffrey found himself a yard ahead of the Glenavon back line but he hurried his shot and the ball flew wide.

The visitors took the lead on 12 minutes when Jordan Stewart beat McGrath at the near post after being set up by Scullion.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

That goal seemed to knock Glenavon and it took them some time to recover. Their cause was not helped with Shane McCabe having to be replaced on 16 minutes by Ciaran Martyn.

On 29 minutes a deep cross by Braniff found Singleton who nodded a great ball in but no-one could get on the end of it. Rhys Marshall won the ball and slipped it to Martyn who shot for goal but the ball eventually spun to Bradley who hooked it into the net but he was well offside.

Glenavon had a chance to claw their way back into the game on 37 minutes wnen they won a free kick after Bradley was chopped down. Kevin Braniff went for goal but set his sights too high.

James McGrath kept Glenavon in the game with a brilliant save minutes later as he palmed away a volley from Allen.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Lurgan Blues made a positive start to the second half with McGrory trying to get on the end of a Braniff flick and then Braniff had a header easily saved. A great chance fell to Bradley when Caldwell sent him clear but under pressure from Addis he drilled the ball the wrong side of the post.

Bradley again had a chance top get his name on the scoresheet as he beat the offside trap, but he went for goal from a tight angle and the keeper blocked his effort.

Glenavon were finally rewarded on 67 minutes and what a scramble it was to eventually get the ball over the line for sure. Neill curled in the corner, the ball appeared to hit a hand and also looked over the line but Conor Dillon made sure before the ref had to make a ruling.

With 12 minutes to go Singleton made a superb last gasp tackle to deny McCaffrey as he was about to pull the trigger.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Then at the other end Martyn burst clear, he beat Morris to the ball but the angle was too tight to cut back into the goal and his cross was cleared.

The Glens grabbed the winner as Scullion latched onto a loose ball on 80 minutes to beat the exposed McGrath. Tough on Glenavon who certainly deserved much more on their second half performance.

The sides meet again on Tuesday night, back at Mourneview Park in the Wasp Solutions League Cup with a 7.45pm start.

Related topics: