| Glenavon won
today's season opening fixture in the Daily Mirror Trophy by defeating
Oxford United Stars 2-1 at Mourneview Park. In the 15th minute Glenavon
went close to opening the scoring when Gareth Murray blocked a clearance
and lobbed the keeper only to see his effort drop just over the bar.
Jim McCloskey's excellent header at the mid-point of the first half from Gareth Walsh's precision cross from the right
gave the hosts a deserved lead. Ten minutes later Walsh got on the score sheet
himself with a shot from 18 yards after the Stars' keeper could only
parry a pile driver from Johnny Wright.
Glenavon were looking comfortable and likely to extend the lead. Three minutes after Walsh's goal
Glenavon almost made it 3-0 when Paul McKnight's header from a corner crashed
off the bar but a fine lob by Stars' striker Graham Brown in first half
injury time gave the visitors a lift.
Glenavon's second half
performance was noticeably more sluggish yet the home side came close to scoring on a number of occasions in the second
half, with Peter Withnell's cross-shot forcing Walker to tip the ball
over his crossbar and Miguel Chines was very unlucky to hit the post
after Barry Reid picked him out at the near post with a low cross into
the six yard area. McCloskey sent a left foot curler dipping just over
the bar and Walker held a close range effort from Withnell in the last
minute.
|
|
| James McDonagh receives treatment for a head injury
sustained in a collision with team mate Johnny Wright. Wright
himself was off the pitch for several minutes receiving treatment
and McDonagh was subsequently substituted after a bad tackle for
which Whoriskey was cautioned. |
|
| Glenavon |
1. Johnny
POLLOCK
2. Johhny WRIGHT
3. Stephen HYNDES 
4. Gary CLIFFORD
5. James McDONAGH
6. Gareth MURRAY
7. Gareth WALSH
8. Johnny TOPLEY
9. Peter WITHNELL
10. Paul McKNIGHT
11. Jim McCloskey
subs
12. Miguel CHINES (Walsh 80)
14. Tony McSHANE (Topley 73)
15. Barry REID (McDonagh 42) |
| Oxford
United Stars |
1. Niall
WALKER
2. Kevin RODDY
3. John LYNCH
4. Paul KELLY
5. Paul SLAVEN
6. Paul COOLEY
7. Jack QUIGLEY
8. Sean DOHERTY
9. Graham BROWN
10. Stephen WHORISKEY
11. Declan McKEEVER
subs
12. Eamon CARLIN (Quigley 72)
14. Emmet McLAUGHLIN
15. Ciaran STEVENSON |
| Referee |
| John
McCLENAGHAN |
|
