Glenavon 0 – 1 Dergview
BetMcLean League Cup, Round 2
Mourneview Park, Tuesday August 28th 2018
Match Report by Calum Jones
Aaron Harmon breaks forward. Photo by Maynard Collins
Glenavon suffered a disappointing 1 – 0 defeat against Championship club Dergview in the second round of the BetMcLean League Cup at Mourneview Park on Tuesday night.
Despite Gary Hamilton fielding a strong team, and the Lurgan Blues enjoying the lion’s share of possession, it was the Championship side who triumphed, with Matthew Callaghan scoring what proved to be the winning goal in the 35th minute.
Callaghan benefited from a kind deflection at a free-kick to head past the helpless Jonathan Tuffey in the Glenavon goal.
The home side threatened in the opening minute when Andrew Mitchell was played in with a ball over the top by Conor McCloskey. Mitchell tried to square the ball for strike partner Stephen Murray, but Dergview goalkeeper Alan Buchanan cut it out.
McCloskey picked Mitchell out again in the 20th minute, this time with a cross from the right flank, but the striker couldn’t get his header on target.
Andrew Mitchell gets his head to a cross. Photo by Maynard Collins
There was an even better headed chance five minutes later when Aaron Harmon’s cross found the run of Niall Grace, but the midfielder headed his effort over the top.
A minute later Mitchell had another opportunity. This time it was Muir’s cross which found him at the far post, but he volleyed off target.
In the 32nd minute a Dylan King free-kick was nodded down by Mitchell to Murray. The striker hit a half-volley on the turn but couldn’t keep it down.
Glenavon were punished for not taking their chances when they fell behind on 35 minutes. Adam Buchanan’s free-kick from 20 yards was poorly struck, but it deflected kindly off teammate Adam Dougherty and sat up for Andrew Sproule. He nodded the ball back across goal to present Callaghan with the simple task of heading into an empty net.
Glenavon’s James Singleton and Dergview’s Mathew Callaghan during this evening’s game at Mourneview Park. Photo Alan Weir/Pacemaker Press
In the second half it was James Singleton who had the first opportunity to equalise. He rose at the back post to meet a McCloskey corner but headed wide when he should have at least hit the target.
Ten minutes into the second period Dergview keeper Buchanan made an excellent save to keep the visitors in front. Murray played McCloskey in and the winger’s well-struck shot was arrowing towards the far corner until Buchanan dived down to his right and got a strong hand behind it.
Glenavon’s Conor McCloskey sees his effort saved by Alan Buchanan. Photo Alan Weir/Pacemaker Press
In the 71st minute Glenavon came close to equalising twice in quick succession. First Murray was denied by another save from Buchanan, this time with the right boot, after substitute Jordan Jenkins had played him in. Then the lively Josh Daniels saw his deflected effort from distance cannon off the crossbar.
The Lurgan Blues continued to press for the equaliser, and they had one last chance in injury time when Jenkins flicked on a Tuffey clearance for Mitchell, but the number nine couldn’t quite wrap his right boot around it on the stretch and the game finished 1 – 0 to the visitors.
Jordan Jenkins holds the ball up. Photo by Maynard Collins
The Lurgan Blues return to league action on Saturday (September 1st) as they welcome Ronnie McFall’s Glentoran to Mourneview Park.
Glenavon: 1. Jonathan Tuffey (C), 3. Dylan King, 6. Niall Grace, 7. Josh Daniels, 9. Andrew Mitchell, 15. Aaron Harmon, 20. Conor McCloskey, 23. Gary Muir, 24. Stephen Murray, 27. James Singleton, 31. Ben Doherty
Subs: 4. Caolan Marron (for 6. Niall Grace, 46 mins), 30. Jordan Jenkins (for 20. Conor McCloskey, 61 mins), 8. Rhys Marshall (for 24. Stephen Murray, 72 mins); not used: 11. Andrew Hall, 12. Stephen Donnelly, 17. Shea Geraghty, 19. Daniel Larmour
Goals: None
Yellow Cards: 9. Andrew Mitchell (57 mins), 3. Dylan King (62 mins), 15. Aaron Harmon (85 mins)
Dergview: 1. Alan Buchanan, 2. Adam Buchanan, 3. Matthew Buchanan, 4. Patrick Hargan, 6. Blaine Burns (C), 7. Andrew Sproule, 8. Matthew Kirk, 9. Adam Dougherty, 10. Simon McGlynn, 11. Gareth Falconer, 17. Matthew Callaghan
Subs: 12. Paul Smith (for 9. Adam Dougherty, 69 mins), 15. Gareth Doherty (for 10. Simon McGlynn, 90+1 mins); not used: 13. Tom Hagan, 14. Dylan McCorkell, 16. James Harper
Goals: 17. Matthew Callaghan (35 mins)
Yellow Cards: 4. Patrick Hargan (72 mins), 2. Adam Buchanan (73 mins), 12. Paul Smith (79 mins), 17. Matthew Callaghan (79 mins), 3. Matthew Buchanan (90+1 mins)
Referee: Christopher Morrison
