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In a goalless first half in which a new-look Glenavon had the only
two efforts on target, Hamilton and Arkins were both guilty of missing
good chances for the hosts whilst Glenavon's Kieran O'Connor forced
Miskelly into a good save. Jimmy Brown brought in Verner, Gawley and
McAlinden in place of Farrell, McMahon and Walker, with Montgomery
moving to right back and McAlinden slotting in alongside Black.
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Kieran O'Connor had Glenavon's best effort in
the first half when he forced Miskelly to dive full length to his right to
turn his shot around the post. |
In the second half Glenavon had the first clear chance in the 56th
minute when Campbell burst down the left onto a good through ball but he
elected to shoot rather than squaring it to Verner and Miskelly was able
to save with his legs. Within a minute it was Verner's chance to race on
to a ball down the left channel. He held it up well and played in Walsh
who cut across the edge of the Portadown box and thumped a shot off the
bar. Glenavon was soon made to rue these missed chances as Portadown took the lead when Aaron Black, under no
pressure, inexplicably headed a routine clearance from O'Hara's long
free kick straight to the feet of Gary Hamilton. He wasted no time in
dispatching a shot across McDonald and in off the far post.
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Neil Gawley takes the attack to Portadown |
Pele once described football as 'the beautiful game' and Glenavon's
equaliser epitomised that aspect when Marty Verner coolly side footed
Shea Campbell's cross past the helpless Miskelly after a neat build up
down the Glenavon left.
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Glenavon's goal scorer, Marty Verner, leaves
Portadown defender John Convery in a heap |
Arkins got his customary goal when the Glenavon defence failed to
clear another long free kick and the Portadown skipper's left foot
finish beat the despairing dive of McDonald. Within 60 seconds Campbell
should have equalised when Kelly failed to control the ball and
allowed it to reach the Glenavon striker. His touch was good but,
one-on-one with Miskelly, he opted for power when a simple side foot
into either corner would have left the keeper with no chance. As it was,
his shot came at a comfortable height for the Portadown stopper and he
was able to stand tall and block the shot.
Portadown clinched the victory eight minutes from time when another
long free kick broke to Boyle and he drove a shot low into the bottom
corner.
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