Contrary to press reports Curtis Allen was available for the visitors as his two game suspension doesn’t start until Monday. There was one change for Glenavon, Andy Kilmartin, who was suspended for last week’s league game, returned to the starting lineup with Declan O’Brien dropping to the bench.

Gary Hamilton celebrated the pre-kick-off announcement of his 3 year extension to his contract as manager of Glenavon with an excellent 4-0 win over one of his former clubs where he had been so successful as a player. Today he came off the bench for a 20 minute cameo that showed he still has plenty to offer as a player, his touch and vision seeing him involved in both the second half goals that sealed the victory.

Gary Hamilton keeps the ball alive in the Glens box. Photo by Brian Bain.

Match Stats

A first half double from James Singleton and a goal apiece from wingers Mark Patton and Andy McGrory sealed Glenavon’s third league win of the season against Glentoran as the race for Europe hots up. The win sees Glenavon move up to 4th place above Portadown who lost 4-0 at Solitude.

Glenavon took a while to settle into the game and the visitors probably had the better play in the first half but it was the home side who went in 2-0 up at the interval. The game could have had a different outcome but for a very good save in the 24th minute by James McGrath to keep out a shot from Jordan Stewart. Allen headed Fra McCaffrey’s corner onto the roof of the net two minutes later and Scott Gordon wasted a decent chance in the 28th minute when he scooped a shot high after good work down the left by Marcus Kane.

The game turned 3 minutes later when Singleton popped up at the back post to force Kevin Braniff’s corner over the line from close range.

Yes, it’s over the line from James Singleton for the opening goal! Photo by Brian Bain

Stewart failed to punish a mistake by Andy Kilmartin when he was presented with the ball inside the Glenavon box but the little winger dragged his shot wide.

Just as both sides were probably ready to go in with the score line at 1-0 in stoppage time, up popped the young fullback again as he ghosted into the box as Glenavon broke down the left with Mark Patton, sliding in to direct a left foot shot beyond Elliott Morris.

Singleton spins away after making it 2-0 with Ciaran Martyn arms raised in celebration as a despondent Elliott Morris looks on. Photo by Brian Bain

Gordon contrived to fire wide from 10 yards just 3 minutes into the second half and that was to prove costly. It looked like Eoin Bradley couldn’t miss from a yard out in the 62nd minute after McGrory put over a perfect low cross, but he did and even his attempted back heel from a foot out was blocked on the line.

With 15 minutes remaining Patton put the game beyond doubt as he slid the ball home at the end of a flowing Glenavon move that started on the right with Hamilton and Kevin Braniff and ended with Morris only able to parry Ciaran Martyn’s shot into the path of the Glenavon wide man.

Mark Patton celebrates after making it 3-0. Photo by Brian Bain

Martyn should have made it 4-0 three minutes later when he was picked out by another excellent cross from McGrory but the big Derry man headed wide with the goal at his mercy. Inside a minute though it was 4-0 when McGrory managed to keep his feet long enough to poke the ball into the bottom corner as he ran through onto Hamilton’s pass.

Andy McGrory celebrates his goal with his team mates. Photo by Brian Bain

The Glenavon manager’s day could have been even better had not his 90th minute shot been blocked on the line but in the end he was delighted with the three points and his new contract allows him to build further on the success he has brought to the Club since joining in December 2011.

Kris Lindsay heads clear. He and Simon Kelly were outstanding at the heart of Glenavon’s defence. Photo by Brian Bain

Glenavon: McGrath, Marshall, Lindsay, Kelly, Singleton, McGrory, Kilmartin, Martyn, Patton (Neill 80), Bradley (Hamilton 69), Braniff (O’Brien 80), Subs not used: Caldwell, Drylie

Glentoran: Morris, Garrett, Kane, Birney, Holland (Addis 12), McCaffrey (O’Hanlon 76), Henderson, Gordon, Stewart, Allen, Scullion (McKee 76). Subs not used: McCullough, Hogg (GK)

Referee: Arnold Hunter