Match Report

Again the Glens found themselves trailing, after Barry Meehan had broken the dead-lock with an excellent strike on 65 minutes. But the steel, determination and heart that has been prominant in McDonald's men all season was to shine again, with goals from Kyle Neill and Colin Nixon sealing the victory.

The match was fast paced affair from the start, and within the first 15 minutes Jamie McGovern, Gary Hamilton and Colin Nixon had all went close for the visitors, while Elliott Morris had to be alert to snuff out the danger from an early Glenavon free-kick.

But the game sprung in to life mid-way through the half, with both teams having excellent opportunities to open the scoring.

Firstly, Glenavon forward Stephen Magennis steered his header over from a great position, following an excellent left wing cross.

Glentoran immediately countered, and Michael Halliday produced an excellent one-handed save from Murphy after the striker raced through on goal.

Daryl Fordyce was next to try his luck, attempting to replicate his effort from last week, but his shot from distance flew just wide.

Chances were coming thick and fast, and good work from Hamilton on the left wing created an opening for Tim McCann, but his first time effort was again denied by the home goalkeeper.

However, Glenavon were not going to lie down and absorb pressure all day, and again showed that they were dangerous on the break, with Magennis again heading just over while well placed.

For Tim McCann, disaster struck on 40 minutes. A run-of-the-mill challenger from McCann left him sprawled on the floor, and after receiving treatment for a few minutes, the winger was stretchered off with what looked to be a knee injury.

But just before half-time, Glentoran had one more chance to break the dead-lock, but Daryl Fordyce's headed effort was off target.

As the second half started, Michael Halliday had his second opportunity of the afternoon. Hamilton was granted space on the right wing, and delivered a perfect cross to the back post, where Halliday was left unguarded. Halliday connected with a left foot volley, but the effort whizzed over the bar.

As the wind and rain really set in, the match deteriorated into scrappy affair, with each team creating little in the way of goal-scoring opportunities.

However, with the wind behind them, Glenavon decided to start testing Morris in the Glens' goal.

Magennis had an effort fly straight into the arms of the waiting keeper on 63 minutes, but just 2 minutes later, Meehan would see his similar effort hit the back of the net, after clipping the inside of the post along the way.

In a bold move, Alan McDonald sent Kyle Neill and Rory Hamill into the fray, signaling his intent to chase the game as Jason Hill also moved into a more attacking role.

And it was from Neill that McDonald's men would finally find a way through the home defence.

After conceding a free-kick 25 yards from goal, Hamill and Neill both stood over the ball, but it was the former who would drill a sweet left foot bullet along the ground and into the net.

The Glentoran players seemed to sense that the game was there to be won, and with Fordyce and Hamill working hard in the centre, Hamilton and Halliday chasing every ball up front, and the marauding Jamie McGovern giving everything down the right hand side, Glenavon began to look uneasy for the first time in the match.

McGovern's delivery was causing all sorts of problems, as the home defence seemed unable to cope with crossed balls. There were two shouts for penalties, as the ball appeared to hit defenders hands during goalmouth scrambles, but nothing was given.

But on 80 minutes, Hamilton was ruled to have been brought down by the home 'keeper as he raced through on goal, and Colin Nixon calmly slotted home from the penalty spot to complete the comeback.

Glenavon looked in disarray, and were fortunate not to concede again. Firstly, Michael Halliday forced Tuda Murphy into another excellent save, as the forward struck a dipping volley from the edge of the box. From the resultant corner, home defenders were called upon twice to clear off the line, as Glentoran looked to seal the win.

There was to be one final scare for the visitors, deep in to injury time, as Magennis curled a shot over from the edge of the box.

But the never-say-die attitude that this Glentoran team are currently displaying was to prevail once again.

Courtesy of
Russell Pritchard/
PRESSEYE