| Despite being only Glenavon's third League
game of the season, this game was already a must-win scenario for the
Lurgan Blues, with the visitors topping the table after an excellent
opening run of four wins and a draw. The Welder's manager, ex-Glentoran
legend George Neill, was without the experience of Philip Major and Tom
Cleland but it was former Ballymena skipper Jason Allen who almost gave
his side the dream start when he nipped in behind the defence to direct
his header goal wards and draw a decent save from McDonald. Before this
Gareth Walsh had a penalty claim denied by Mr Courtney, one of a number
of decent appeals for the home side.
Glenavon was forced to reshuffle the defence in the 14th minute when
James McDonagh had to retire after receiving an ankle injury in a heavy
tackle that typified the physical approach of the visitors. Sub Pete
Batey slotted in to the centre of defence alongside Johnny Wright, with
left back Stephen Hyndes, returning after a long injury layoff, handing
over the captain's armband.
In the 18th minute Walsh, restored to his preferred slot on the right
wing, sent over a decent low cross to the near post which seemed to
rebound off the shins of Neil Candlish and out for a goal kick. A minute
later Walsh provided another dangerous cross which ran right across the
6 yard area with no-one able to get on the end of it. On 20 minutes
Allen sliced Walsh's through ball and it fell nicely for Candlish who
struck a volley firmly but straight at Henry. Within two minutes Henry
saved another Candlish volley as Glenavon broke quickly after McDonald
denied Tomelty, Hyndes miskicked his first attempted clearance before
finally getting the ball up to Candlish.
After 25 minutes McKnight spurned the opportunity to shoot when
inside the Welders' box and the visitors broke quickly with Towell
providing a near post cross that Marsh headed over. In the 32nd minute
Johnny Wright limped off with what looked like a hamstring problem and
he was replaced by Conor Devine who filled in at right back with McAlinden
reverting to the central position. Within a couple of minutes the second
Glenavon penalty appeal of the afternoon was turned down when Topley
turned in the box and was brought down by a tackle from behind.
Four minutes from the interval Towell made a great run into the box
and was picked out by a well-weighted through ball. With McDonald coming
out of his goals, the former Ballyclare Comrades man fired a shot across
from a difficult angle that Devine did well to block as it seemed headed
towards goal. Two minutes later it was a Devine intervention again as he
cleared another Towel effort off the line after McDonald again came
racing out only for Towell to take the ball round him and stroke it
towards the unguarded net.
In the second half Glenavon created a number of early chances with
Candlish shooting wide from 8 yards after Devine's cross was chested
down by McKnight and McShane curled a shot just wide after a quick free
kick. Just before the hour mark Jason Allen ghosted in at the back post
and sent a diving header just wide from McGrath's left to right diagonal
free kick. A minute later Murray made a great run, linking with Candlish
and Walsh who provided another great cross that forced a corner from
which McAlinden almost scored with a brilliant 20 yard volley that was
headed for the top corner only to curl away at the last moment.
In the 64th minute Mr Courtney finally awarded Glenavon a penalty
when Johnston tripped Topley. Topley took the penalty himself and it
wasn't one of his better efforts as he hit it straight down the middle
and Henry blocked it but he was calm enough to net the rebound to give
his side the lead.
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Johnny Topley's third goal of the season
secured the three points for Glenavon |
In the 66th minute McGrath was booked for dissent and five minutes
later he was lucky to escape a second yellow when he caught Walsh with a
late tackle on the touch line. This prompted George Neill to use two of
his substitutes, replacing McGrath and Towell. Tommy Kincaid responded
by bringing on Jim McCloskey to replace Tony McShane who had had
arguably his best game yet in a Glenavon shirt. Within a couple of
minutes 'Jimbo' went down in the box but again Mr Courtney waved away
any appeals for a penalty. Johnston then almost made up for conceding
the earlier penalty when he made a late run into the Glenavon box for a
corner and got a free header that wasn't far wide of the mark, though
there was plenty of Glenavon cover on the line.
Two minutes from time McDonald made a brilliant save to deny
Clapham's well struck effort after his fellow sub Davidson had laid the
ball back to him inside the box. In injury time keeper Davy Henry came
up for a Welders corner and actually got his head to the ball but his
effort went high over the bar.
Summary: A clean sheet was pleasing after last week's mauling
and a hard fought victory in which the three points were perhaps more
important than the performance. Excellent performances by Murray and
McShane in mid-field and an inspired job at an unfamiliar right back position
for Conor Devine. Injury concerns in defence ahead of Tuesday night's Cup
Final with McDonagh and Wright doubtful but hopefully Barry Reid will
make it back from injury and Pete Batey did a sterling job in the centre
of defence.
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