Icy blast gives Glenavon the blues

A three goal blast in the last eight minutes dashed hopes of keeping the tie alive for the second leg in Lurgan next Thursday night.

Up until the 82nd minute Gary Hamilton’s side were well on target of securing a superb result with the game still scoreless.

Just before the home side finally made the breakthrough Glenavon were denied a vital away goal when the keeper made a brilliant save to keep out a header from Kris Lindsay after being set up by Kevin Braniff’s teasing cross.

On 90 minutes FH added a second and at that stage Glenavon and their fans would have settled for that, but then disaster struck in added time when it become 3-0.

It could have been worse, Hafnarfjordur had a fourth goal disallowed, time will tell if that bit of luck will make any difference in the second leg.

With Hafnarfjordur enjoying a great season in their domestic league, unbeaten and sitting top of the table, this was always going to be a tough challenge for Glenavon who were never going to be able to match their opponents on fitness levels.

It was nevertheless a fine effort from the team and so close to giving themselves a chance at home.

FH: R. Óskarsson (GK), Vidarsson, Emilsson, Doumbia, Bödvarsson, Hewson, D. Vidarsson, O. Snorrason (C), Gudnason, Jónsson, Björnsson. SUBS: K. Finnbogason (GK), Reynolds, Palsson (Jónsson 70), Gudmundsson, Rúnarsson (Hewson 78), I. Óskarsson (Emilsson 70), Ingason.

GLENAVON: McGrath (GK), Neill, Lindsay (C), Dillon, Marshall, McIlveen, McGrory, McCabe, Bates, Bradley, Braniff. Subs: Blayney (GK), McCallion, Dane, Sykes, Hamilton (Braniff 86), Rainey (Bates 86), Hoey.

Referee: Zbynek Proske (CZE).