30th September 2000 (or eleven years and one day) was the last time Glenavon defeated Glentoran at Mourneview Park.

However going into today’s fixture the home side must have fancied their chances with Glentoran still smarting after a poor home performance against Ballymena United a week ago. Manager, Scott Young made significant changes to his squad with Johnny Taylor coming in at right back, Jimmy Callacher dropping into central defence and Richard Clarke, Kyle Cherry & Ciaran Martyn returning to the midfield. Andy Waterworth and David Howland were both missing; Waterworth with an injury and Howland suspended.

Glenavon started brightly and dominated the early stages of the game. With just 4 minutes played a Colin Nixon clearance fell to Diarmuid O’Carroll but his shot was just too high. On 6 minutes the home team won a second corner in quick succession. The ball broke to Andy Graham on the edge of the area and his shot was deflected past Elliott Morris to put Glenavon in front. 5 minutes later Graham had the chance to double the lead but dragged his shot across the face of the goal. The first yellow card of the game was shown to Jay Magee for a bad challenge on Gary Hamilton. From the free kick Johnny Taylor headed wide. Kyle Cherry had a long range effort (15) on goal but Davy O’Hare dealt with it comfortably. Cherry went much closer on 22 minutes; this time O’Hare had to turn it away for a corner. Glentoran were now starting to come more into the game and a great move out of defence saw Richard Clarke burst forward and find Kyle Cherry. Clarke moved into the area for the return but Cherry’s pass was just too strong. Just after the half hour mark Jason Hill received a yellow card for a foul on Mark Miskimmin. Moments later Miskimmin’s name also went in the book as he took out Hill. On 34 minutes Glentoran equalised. Carson crossed from the left looking for O’Hanlon near the penalty spot. The ball dropped between O’Hanlon and Hamilton and two Glenavon defenders. Gary Hamilton reacted first, poking the ball past O’Hare to make it 1-all. It was Hamilton’s 100th first team goal for Glentoran. A minute later it was almost two. Again Carson did well but his cross was punched out by O’Hare and fell for Kyle Cherry. His first time drive was inches wide of the upright. 3 minutes from the break Brendan Shannon struck a tremendous shot from just outside the penalty area and was unlucky to see it deflect off a defender for a corner.

The second half was almost 10 minutes old before we’d a serious attempt on goal .Glenavon were awarded a free kick 20 yards from goal Kevin Kelbie struck it well but the Glentoran defensive wall did its job. On 56 minutes the visitors went in front. A Glentoran corner was only partially cleared and Jim O’Hanlon picked the ball up about 25 yards from goal. He threaded a superb pass through to Carson on the edge of the area. It looked like Carson was in on goal but instead he crossed to the back post where skipper, Colin Nixon side-footed home from 6 yards. 3 minutes later the game was effectively over. The Glenavon defence failed to clear and in a goalmouth scramble the ball eventually broke to Nixon who slotted it past O’Hare to make it 3-1. On 61 minutes it was almost four; Kyle Cherry’s 20 yard screamer going just wide. Andy Graham (63) went close with a header whilst at the other end Hamilton put Carson in on the edge of the area. His curling shot beat O’Hare but shaved the far post. Cherry picked up a yellow card for a foul on Kyle Neill and from the resulting free kick Graham ghosted in at the back post and headed just wide. With 6 minutes remaining Niall Henderson had a half chance from the edge of the Glentoran area but dragged his shot wide. The home side were reduced to 10 men on 86 minutes. Brendan Shannon was adjudged to have fouled Darren Boyce just outside the penalty area. He reacted badly to the decision and was shown a straight red card by referee, Hunter. The home side almost pulled a goal back from a free kick as we entered stoppage time but Elliott Morris pulled off a great save. O’Hare matched that a minute later, turning Hamilton’s shot onto the post. In added time Glentoran’s two substitutes combined with Boyce finding Gibson who really should have netted from close range. A long clearance from Morris put Johnny Taylor away in the final minute but the big defender was indecisive with O’Hare rushing out of goal and the ball eventually ran away for a goal kick.

Glentoran: Morris, Taylor, Hill, Nixon (capt), Callacher, Clarke, Martyn, O’Hanlon, Carson, Cherry & Hamilton.
Subs: Boyce for O’Hanlon (70) & Gibson for Carson (85).

Note, there will be no Glentoran TV coverage of today's game.

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