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The final score
line was emphatic enough but, after taking an early lead through a
sublime goal by Derek Delaney, Glenavon pressed the self-destruct button
in the 26th minute when Davy McAlinden and Andy McDonald got in a mix-up
and allowed Davy Paul in to score an equaliser. McKnight did strike one
great shot from the edge of the area that was heading rocket-like just
inside Maddison's right hand post until he got a hand to turn it round
the post. After this the home
side's play fell apart and lost its fluency for the rest of the first half.
Ten minutes into the second half Kieran O'Connor scored with a
superbly executed free kick and this seemed to revitalise Glenavon's
play. United's goal scorer slid a great low cross over in the 59th
minute that evaded everyone including half time substitute Gary Millen
who just failed to get a touch. Seconds later McDonald made a great save
at the feet of right back John Neill and from the resulting corner,
taken sort by United, Hill somehow contrived to head wide with the
Glenavon defence slow to respond.
In the 63rd minute Delaney finally broke the frustrating offside
trap, with ex-Glenavon skipper Paul Byrne marshalling his defence well
throughout the game. Delaney's square pass picked out McKnight but he
somehow sliced wide with the goal at his mercy.
Paul Byrne was then substituted and received a warm ovation from the
home fans, showing their appreciation for his many years of loyal
service to the Club.
Davy McAlinden added a third and clinching goal with a powerful header, his third in
as many games, as McKnight delivered a pinpoint cross from a free kick
near the right corner.
United hadn't given up hope though and Neill went on a run from his
own half with no-one in blue wanting to make a tackle and he was allowed
to get away a shot that McDonald parried with McAlinden completing the
clearance.
Glenavon's fourth goal was a calamity for the visiting keeper as he
rushed out of his area to get to a through ball ahead of McVeigh but mis-kicked,
and McVeigh, who had just come on as an 80th minute substitute, slotted
the ball home from wide on the left.
In injury time McDonald made another good save to deny Paul a double and
a quick break from Glenavon ended with Maddison getting fingertips to
push Topley's shot around the post. |
