As expected Gary Hamilton makes six changes from last week’s starting lineup: James Taylor, Andy Kilmartin, Kyle Neill, Mark Patton, Andy Doyle and Renato de Vecchi start.

There was a minute’s silence before kick off and a pause during the 5th minute of the game for a minute’s applause in honour of Derry City’s Ryan McBride who passed away on Sunday.

Photo by Maynard Collins

Not a lot of football being played with a lot of long balls but Glenavon seem to be edging the play as far as any quality is concerned. Gray dragged a shot well wide and Renato lobbed over from just outside the box.

The best chance of the half however fell to the hosts in the 23rd minute when Josh Doherty made great connection with Guillaume Keke’s cross but Taylor pulled off a great save, tipping the shot over the bar.

Photo by Maynard Collins

Three minutes later a potential mix-up in the Ards defence could have cost them a goal after Gray and Andy McGrory exchanged passes before the latter played the ball into the box for Renato, playing as a striker today. Aaron Hogg seemed to spill the ball as he collided with teammate Callum Byers. McGrory picked up the rebound and crossed back in but the danger was cleared as Robbie Norton, on as a substitute for Chris Turner who had picked up a hamstring injury, tried to get on the end of it.

Photo by Maynard Collins

Patton fired into the side netting in the first minute of the second half after he was played in by Renato who then had a header easily saved from Kyle Neill’s corner.

In the 64th minute Patton was unlucky when his header from Andy Kilmartin’s cross crashed back off the underside of the bar.

Ten minutes from time Craig McMillen was just off target as he tried his luck from 35 yards when he spotted Taylor off his line.

Callum Byers headed Doyle’s back post header off the line from an 88th minute Kyle Neill corner but the hosts won the game thanks to a penalty award a minute later for a hand ball against Simon Kelly.

Taylor went the right way and managed to save Michael Ruddy’s spot kick but he couldn’t hold the ball and the Ards penalty specialist fired home the rebound.

Ards: Hogg, Hall, Byers, Friars (c), Ruddy, Cherry (McCullough 67), Tommons, McMillen, Doherty, Keke (Arthurs 90), Liggett (McComb 79). Subs not used: McMullan, Hughes

Cautions: Liggett 63, Friars 65

Glenavon: Taylor, Doyle, Kelly, Lindsay, Neill, McGrory, Kilmartin (c), Turner (Norton 26), Patton, Renato (Jenkins 63), Gray (Hamilton 80). Subs not used: Young, O’Mahoney

Cautions: Patton 45, Lindsay 77

Referee: Lee Tavinder