All photographs on this page are © by Drew McWilliams, permission granted to glenavonfc.com

A WELCOME WIN

Trevor Molloy helps Adrian Harper celebrate his goal

A rare home league victory, the first time Glenavon has won more than two home league games since the 2002-2003 season, thanks to a fine first half goal from Adrian Harper who has this week agreed a one year extension to his Glenavon contract.

Harper's goal gave the home side a deserved half-time lead which could easily have been doubled with David Morris managing to hit the Newry keeper as he lay on his line after a dangerous Paul Carville free kick fell to the Kilkeel man six yards out in the 23rd minute. A superb defence splitting through ball 15 minutes later from Gerard McMahon into the run of Harper brought the reward that Glenavon's domination deserved as the little midfielder confidently slid the ball past Robinson in the Newry goal.

Meanwhile Tuda Murphy, who was returning from his one game ban, had little to do in the Glenavon goal as Newry created very little of note.

The visitors did pick up the pace in the second half though it was Glenavon's Trevor Molloy who drew the first save of the half with a cross-shot that was easily held by Robinson. The home side visibly tired in the final 15 minutes and Newry began to fashion a number of chances with skipper Richard Clarke having one shot easily saved by Murphy before sending another a couple of yards wide.

Ten minutes from the end the tireless Molloy got to the bye line and put over a low cross that was hacked clear just as Morris looked to pounce at the back post.

Murphy was called into action several times in the final minutes as he made excellent stops from Ferguson and Prigent to ensure that Glenavon held on for the three points that sees Terry Cochrane's team move up three places, above Donegal Celtic, Institute and level on points with Armagh City, the two local sides now sharing 'top spot' in the mini league that has formed at the bottom of the Carnegie Premier League table. A clear ten points separates Glenavon and Armagh from next week's opponents Coleraine in the top half of the table.

Harper and young Sam Stewart bossed the midfield and veteran Gerard McMahon had an excellent game before coming off in the 65th minute. The defence looked solid for the most part and this time there were no careless errors such as had cost the side the points against Limavady a fortnight ago.

Terry Cochrane was delighted with the way his team went about their work "I thought the lads done great today, they grafted well, they were disciplined. Newry aren't a bad side and I have to give them credit because they can play if you let them. We decided to keep them on the back foot, try and play the football in their half all the time and keep them like that and see if we can create chances and we did. Sammy Stewart and Harper in the midfield were excellent.

"We ran out of legs towards the end so we had to make changes but all credit to the lads, they've stood up and been counted and that's a big thing.

"We've got to build on that result and, with the performances against the Mid-Ulster select and Finn Harps, the lads have started to believe in themselves. They know where they are and they want to do something about it and that's the best thing."