Action from The Oval by Maynard Collins.

[ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”36″ exclusions=”47″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_slideshow” gallery_width=”650″ gallery_height=”500″ cycle_effect=”fade” cycle_interval=”6″ show_thumbnail_link=”1″ thumbnail_link_text=”[Show picture list]” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]Gary Hamilton keeps faith with the line-up that started last week’s Irish Cup game at Armagh City.

Glenavon almost got off to the ideal start after just three minutes when Rhys Marshall played the ball out to Renato and he skipped past a challenge before playing the ball into the feet of James Gray. He laid it off to Greg Moorhouse who saw his rising shot rebound off the underside of the bar.

In the 28th minute a cross from the right by Aaron Canning broke for Renato and his turn and shot was blocked by Jay Magee.

A minute later the hosts went close when Curtis Allen’s front post header from a Chris Lavery corner rebounded off the other post.

Great save by Elliott Morris to tip Ciaran Martyn’s point blank header over the bar from a left wing cross by Rhys Marshall with 77 minutes on the clock.

With two minutes remaining Johnny Tuffey made a superb save, rushing out and spreading himself to block a shot by Stephen Gordon after a high ball had been held up in the strong wind and dropped kindly for the Glens midfielder.

Mark Sykes caught everybody napping with a 90th minute free kick from the left edge of the Glens box as he lifted it over the head of Morris only to see it come back off the bar.

The game ended in the 3rd draw between these sides this season as the strong wind played a big part in reducing the quality of the match but Glenavon always looked the more likely to take the three points.

Glentoran: Morris, Ferrin, Magee, Addis, Redman, Gordon, McAlorum, Kane, Lavery, Smith, Allen. Subs: Novo, Foley, Nelson (GK), Harmon (Smith 66), Caldwell

Glenavon: Tuffey (c), Canning, Marron, Elebert, Singleton, Renato, Sykes, Marshall, Patton, Moorhouse, Gray. Subs: Lindsay, Kilmartin, Cooper (Patton 56), Martyn (Renato 68), Bates (Gray 68).

Referee: Raymond Hetherington