Injuries to Jason Hill, Gary Hamilton, Ciaran Martyn and Andrew Waterworth meant Scott Young had to shuffle the pack somewhat for today’s Carling Premiership encounter with Glenavon at the Oval.

Richard Clarke and Kyle Cherry came into the midfield whilst Ross Davison made his senior debut at left back.

Debutant Davison almost created a goal within 4 minutes, his long pass put Richard Clarke clear but Andy Coleman in the Glenavon goal did well to deny him. Just after the quarter hour mark a left wing cross from Stephen Carson was met by Colin Nixon but his header was deflected away for a corner. From the set piece Richard Gibson had a half chance but it was blocked and then cleared by the Glenavon defence. The home side were awarded a free kick on 20 minutes when Sean Ward was taken down. Carson swung a dangerous ball across the Glenavon goalmouth but nobody managed to get a touch on it. A minute later Glentoran went in front. Conor Hagan was cautioned for a foul on Kyle Cherry and Stephen Carson took the resulting free kick. The ball eventually fell to Ross Davison and he drove it home from 12 yards. Another neat move involving Martin Murray and Richard Clarke on 28 minutes was well defended by Kyle Neill. Davison went on a great run down the left on 37 minutes, going past 3 or 4 defenders before setting up Clarke. Unfortunately his drive was off target. Jimmy Callacher’s 30 yard free kick was high and wide whilst at the other end Kevin Kelbie blazed over from the edge of the area.

The Lurgan side had a chance to level things up 4 minutes after the interval following good work on the left by Mark Miskimmin. He did well to find fellow substitute Anthony McConnell in the area but his first time shot was straight at Elliott Morris. A minute later the visitors appealed for a penalty when Miskimmin’s shot came off Callacher and went for a corner. Referee Crangle adjudged that it had struck Callacher’s chest though and not his arm. On 54 minutes the Glentoran defence failed on a number of occasions to properly clear the ball and were relieved when McConnell’s effort flew wide of the upright. Just before the hour mark Richard Gibson chased down a back pass and forced the keeper into an error. As both players challenged for the ball outside the area keeper Coleman handled but the referee determined that a yellow card was sufficient punishment. 2 minutes later Glentoran substitute, Owain Beggs was fouled on the edge of the area by Jay Magee. The big defender, who’d been cautioned earlier in the half, was perhaps fortunate to stay on the pitch. Gibson was set up by Jim O’Hanlon (63) but curled his shot beyond the far post and then on 65 minutes a terrific break from Clarke and Howland resulted in Glenavon’s Magee heading over his own crossbar. Glentoran made the game safe on 82 minutes when the 3 substitutes combined to double the lead. Beggs did well to win possession in midfield and his excellent pass released Jim O’Hanlon. The young midfielder took the ball to the by-line before sending over a perfect cross which Darren Boyce headed home from 6 yards. Glentoran comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to stretch their unbeaten league run to 8 games.

Glentoran: Morris, Ward, Davison, Nixon (capt), Callacher, Howland, Clarke, Cherry, Carson, Gibson & Murray.
Subs: O’Hanlon for Murray & Beggs for Cherry (52) and Boyce for Gibson (79).

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