Super Sub McCain Chips in With Winner

Stephen McCain, pictured above, came on in the 86th minute and scored a deserved winner for Glenavon with what was probably his first touch less than two minutes later.

Terry Cochrane stuck with the same starting line-up that earned Glenavon a point in a 3-3 draw with Cliftonville last Saturday. Ronnie McFall, on the other hand, brought in David Miskelly in goals in place of Neil Armstrong with striker Aime Koudou also dropping to the bench to allow Kevin Braniff to return to his preferred front role. He was also missing skipper John Convery who succumbed to flu during the week so youth team defender Chris Coleman got his first start, coming in at right back.

Paul Carville almost got Glenavon off to the perfect start when he latched on to Stewart’s layoff and was only denied by a brilliant save by Miskelly as he unleashed a great shot from just inside the box that seemed destined for the top corner until the Portadown keeper tipped it over the bar.

With Portadown looking nervous and lacking in cohesion, it was Glenavon that again went close when Trevor Molloy worked one of his ‘magic’ free kicks: McMahon rolled the ball back and the ex-Motherwell striker flicked it up and hit a dipping volley that was heading for the top corner when Miskelly superbly tipped it over the bar, though Referee Adrian McCourt inexplicably gave a goal kick to the bemusement of everyone else in Shamrock Park.

It took 34 minutes before Portadown registered an effort with Boyle heading wide from Braniff’s cross but seconds later Andy Smith went even closer when he flicked a header across goal from the 6 yard box after Topley cut the ball back from the bye line.

Paul Walsh came on for the start of the second half for Paul Carville who had picked up a knock towards the end of the first period. Glenavon again forced a superb save from Miskelly when Molloy powered a header from Dickson’s cross that the Portadown keeper clawed away one handed, with Molloy claiming in vain that the ball was already over the line. McCullough then wasted a good chance two minutes later for Portadown when he fired well wide from Smith’s header down.

Eamon Murray made a welcome return to action as he came off the bench in the 74th minute to replace McMahon and only seconds later he forced another excellent save from Miskelly as he volleyed a misplaced clearance towards the bottom corner.

It was Murphy’s turn to pull off a brilliant save when he pushed Koudou’s point blank header over the bar after he got on the end of McCullough’s cross and the Ivorian striker had another great chance to win the match ten minutes from time when a rare mistake by Mark Turkington saw him miss-kick a clearance up in the air and the ball drop nicely for the former Kilmarnock striker. He was unlucky when his shot across Murphy’s goal missed the back post by inches.

It was another Glenavon substitute, Stephen McCain, who had replaced Sammy Stewart only two minutes earlier, who sealed a first League win for Glenavon over their Mid-Ulster rivals in seven years when he curled a great right foot shot beyond the reach of Miskelly. The Portadown defence had failed to clear the danger over in the right back position and the ball broke to McCain on the edge of the 18 yard box and he steered his shot into the bottom corner.

Terry Cochrane applauds the Glenavon fans.

"It feels good; the lads played very well. There was a couple of chances on both sides and we've taken the one that won the game. I think, overall, we played better. Their keeper pulled off some great saves and the one he pulled back from over the line - it was a goal.

"The system suits us at the moment but we'll always be looking to be a stronger side with the players we bring in so we'll have to adapt. We'll be bringing in more players who may not suit that system so we'll change it.

"Hugh Dickson was immense today and Conor Walsh in the midfield pulled the strings and he steadies the whole thing. I'm over the moon. Portadown are a good side so to come here and get a win, it's a tremendous result."