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was little real action in the first half, with the main talking point
being the sending off of Johnny Montgomery. The incident occurred in the
29th minute as he clashed with McDowell at a Glenavon corner. McDowell
was subsequently unable to continue and was replaced by Barry Holland.
Earlier Walsh had hit the side netting from a tight angle after a
neat trick out on the left wing and Verner went close for Bangor in the
19th minute when he slid a shot wide after Morrow's shot had been partly
blocked by Montgomery. Five minutes later McDonald came off his line to
smother the ball at the feet of Ryan Brown 2.
After the lack-lustre first half Glenavon made a storming start to
the second half. Within 30 seconds Walsh was put through by McKnight and
really should have scored but allowed Brown to save with his legs. The
danger was cleared only as far as the penalty spot but Murray put the
follow just up wide. A minute later Walsh broke down the left wing and
cut the ball back to the edge of the area where Topley completely missed
his kick. McAlorum then did well under pressure in the Bangor box and
got off a shot that Brown held comfortably. At the other end Officer
sliced a shot well wide for Bangor before Verner's good work set up a
chance for Brown but he drove his shot well high the bar.
Walsh went close with a great volley in the 58th minute and again in
the 64th minute. There was then an almighty scramble in the Glenavon 6
yard area before the ball was eventually hacked clear.
Two minutes later Walsh, who time and again was getting in the behind
the home defence, unleashed a fierce shot that forced Brown to palm the
ball out with a defender forced to clear it over his own bar for a
corner. In the 71st minute Bangor went ahead when the ball struck
a Glenavon defender's hand and Verner converted from the spot. This may
well have been Bangor's only shot on target in the entire game. Eight
minutes later Verner received his marching orders for a dangerous tackle
on McAlinden.
Glenavon thought they had equalised in the final minute when Walsh's
shot crashed off the underside of the bar and clearly bounced a couple
of feet over the line but the assistant referee shook her head and
denied the visitors a deserved leveller. Walsh, who was cautioned for
his protests, got the last laugh deep into injury time when his low near
post cross from the right was met with a brilliant diving header by
McKnight.
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