Glenavon extended its unbeaten League run to two games and handed newly
appointed manager Terry Cochrane a point in his first game in charge. He faced a
selection nightmare as the Lurgan Blues travelled to Ballyskeagh without the regular centre half pairing of Gavin McDonnell and
Jonny Cowan, both out suspended.
This provided an opportunity for Steven McCain, formerly of Larne, to get a
start in midfield. Michael McKerr moved into centre defence alongside Andrew
Hageman, getting his first start in a Glenavon shirt.
The first half was a touch and go affair with the Lurgan Blues being on the
back foot for most of the first 45 minutes but Trevor Molloy, appointed Glenavon
captain for the day, had the opening opportunity of the game. He broke down the
left and saw his shot cleared by Paul Muir after the Dubliner had got past
Philip Matthews to shoot at goal.
Gerard McMahon had a shot blocked before Andy Kilmartin presented the Whites
with their first opportunity when he forced Tuda Murphy, who is celebrating a
call up to the Cayman Islands squad to face Bermuda in February, to get down low
for a good save.
Gary Browne headed over for the hosts from eight yards with former Glenavon
striker Nathan McConnell heading across goal to allow Browne to have the effort.
Paul Carville prevented the visitors from going behind on 13 minutes. He
cleared off the line after Browne beat Murphy to a cross and his touch sent the
ball towards goal but Carville was on the line, scooping the ball away.
Darren Armour had a goal disallowed when he headed past Murphy, however his
effort was ruled by Gareth Eakin to be offside. Chris Kingsberry saw a shot go
right across goal and narrowly wide before the half hour mark.
Carville came to the rescue again on 35 minutes when former Linfield and
Bohemians man Kingsberry rounded Murphy to shoot at goal, but again the fullback
was on hand to clear off the line. Before that Stephen Magennis shot from the
edge of the area, but Matthews was there to palm the ball away after Molloy had
set up the initial effort.
On 38 minutes Magennis headed over from the returning Paul Walsh’s cross, the
Banbridge teenager making his first appearance after being out with a shoulder
injury.
The second half was largely a quiet affair until the 65th minute
when Gerard McMahon’s free kick was easy pickings for Matthews. Before that
McCann had been booked for a poor challenge on Walsh.
Glenavon might feel they should have had a penalty on 70 minutes when Paul
Walsh cracked an effort at goal which was seemingly blocked by the hand of a
Whites defender. That was after Walsh had passed to Carville down the left, the
two interlinking well to set Walsh up for the shot.
Kilmartin almost broke the deadlock when he scooped over from close range
after a cross had come in from the left hand side, however the former Glentoran
man failed to keep his shot down low enough.
Glenavon almost, and probably should have, stole the three points right at
the death when substitute Colm Kearney shot over on 87 minutes. The goal kick
which followed was poorly taken by Matthews as Molloy raced onto it, squaring to
‘Jarhead’ and his shot forced a magnificent save from the former Glenavon
‘keeper.
A well earned point for Glenavon, and that will stand the Lurgan Blues in
good stead for the massive game with Larne at Mourneview Park next week.
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