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DECEMBER 2006

30th December: OLD BOYS NET WORKS

Glenavon 2-3 Armagh City

Goals from Glenavon old boys Shea Campbell (2) and Conor Forker helped Armagh City to a victory despite conceding a fourth minute penalty after Chris Walker blatantly handled Conor Walsh's goal bound shot. Although Gerard McMahon smashed home the spot kick, the main talking point was why referee Trevor Moutray only showed Walker a yellow card, rather than the mandatory red.

Glenavon's lead had lasted only four minutes when a fine through ball from left back Mark Turkington released Campbell and he was brought down by an ill-judged tackle from Gavin McDonnell. The City striker picked himself up to score the resulting penalty, sending Rice the wrong way.

Gawley went close with a low right foot shot after good work by Harper in the 15th minute, McDonnell tried his luck with a long range shot that was not far off target on 19 minutes and McConnell stabbed McMahon's low cross-shot just wide after 28 minutes.

Campbell fired into the side netting a minute later after he ran onto a neat through ball from Best but he made no mistake four minutes from the interval as he curled home a great free kick from 25 yards after another former Glenavon player, Steven Hyndes, had been needlessly tripped.

The home side got the second half off to the perfect start when, within ten seconds of the re-start, Nathan McConnell fired a rising left foot drive into the top corner from Harper's perfectly weighted through ball. A minute later McMahon fizzed a shot narrowly wide across the goal mouth but, once again, Glenavon was unable to capitalise on the early goal and fell behind again after only 49 minutes when Conor Forker fired a low shot past Rice after Hyndes had picked out his run into the box.

Ross Black's 59th minute shot was deflected over his own bar by Cowan and Walker had to head off the line in a scramble from the resulting corner. Atiba Charles came off the bench and played up front as an extra striker but it was McConnell who wasted a great chance seconds later as he headed over from 8 yards out from McMahon's free kick. McConnell did get a header on target in the 73rd minute but this time Cushley made a great finger tip save to push it over the bar. With Glenavon pressing forward City caught them on the break and it took a great block by Rice to dispossess McCann after Campbell's pass sent him clear through.

Cushley was almost caught out by a shot from McConnell as Charles played him in on the edge of the box, the keeper having to make a quick change of direction to grab his low shot. Five minutes from time Charles put a back post header just wide but, in the end, Glenavon's inability to keep the opposition out for any length of time after scoring themselves, meant a miserable end the 2006 for the faithful Lurgan Blues fans.

"It was another sickening home defeat. Territorially we were on top, we created chances but we aren't clinical in front of goal. We got off to a dream start. That lasted all of four minutes and then we give away a sloppy penalty. Then we gave away a free kick when we were in charge again.

"We got a great start again in the second half to get ourselves back into it and I thought we could have driven on from then but within minutes of that we conceded the third. To concede three goals at home is very poor in anybody's book.

"I was disappointed with a lot of things today, particularly when we look back at the games that have gone previously there was a lot of heart, a lot of commitment and we fought our corner right to the final whistle. Today I thought certain aspects of that were missing. Some of the commitment was certainly missing and that probably cost us on the day.

"Maybe some of the boys may have turned up thinking 'we've got all the hard games out of the way now we'll just pick up three points'. The attitude maybe wasn't right but we tried to instil the importance of the game in them but it didn't happen. We said 'The fans have stuck with you fellas, they've backed you every inch of the way through all the tough games. In the last game they stayed to the end, clapped you off and then you go out and put in a performance like that. Any wonder they're going berserk.'

"I'm just sick with the way it went today. It was a game which I thought was a must-win game - we had to close the gap on Armagh but it has opened up further.

"As for the Walker incident, it's a red card. The ball's going into the back of the net and he prevented the goal. It's one of those decisions that haven't been going our way. The referee, for whatever reason, has tried to keep 11 players on the park and not spoil the game, from his point of view, I suppose, but 'rules are rules' and the ball was entering the back of the net and he stopped it with both hands!"

Gary McKinstry

"I was happy with the result but I'm sure it wasn't pretty for the spectators to watch. I don't think much of the football at this level is any more - it's all cut and thrust. It's whoever works the hardest wins the game. I personally think that the level of football (in the Premier League) is quite low at the moment.

"I've a bunch of lads in there who work so hard for each other, week in and week out and they got what they deserved today. After the penalty we could have folded and for the first 20 minutes it looked like they were still at their Christmas dinners but after that they dug in, fought hard and got back into the game and congratulations to them. They've done absolutely superb for me.

"We're under no illusions; three defeats on the spin and you're right back in trouble but we've got to look towards getting enough points to stay in this League and then people will be surprised where Armagh finish because we'll kick on from there.

"Without a doubt, Chris Walker should have walked for the handball. I'm his biggest supporter, he's been absolutely fantastic for me, but how he stayed on the pitch beggars belief! At the other end, for our penalty, I couldn't' see whether their player was the last man but maybe things even themselves out over the long run.

"Shea Campbell has been absolutely fantastic for me this year. His attitude has been second to none. Obviously he's got carried away with scoring two goals and going to the support and what not but there's a lot boils up inside the lad and this year me and him have worked really really well and he's worked so so hard leading the line for us with Shane Coney who deserves the utmost respect as well. Shea is just a different fella."

26th December: PORTS WIN DERBY

Portadown 2-1 Glenavon

Ross Black scores from a superbly taken free kick

All the goals came in the first half as Portadown won to keep up their unbeaten run. Poor defending saw Henry McStay score with a free header 8 yards out from Peter Kennedy's fourth minute corner. Just before that Paul Rice had picked up an injury when he came out to block Gary McCutcheon's close range shot and it was from the resulting corner that Portadown scored. Nathan McConnell fired over when he broke clear in the 18th minute and seconds later Rice made a good save from McCann's low shot at the expense of another corner.

In the 28th minute Peter Kennedy's free kick rebounded off the wall but Glenavon failed to clear the danger and the ball eventually broke to Gary McCutcheon. He took a touch to steady himself and calmly slotted past Rice from 8 yards.

Glenavon pulled a goal back in the 37th minute with a superb curling free kick from Ross Black and in the final minute of the half Pressman made a great save after McMahon's corner was flicked on at the near post.

Davy Hawthorne battles for possession with Keith O'Hara

Early in the second half McConnell ran onto Harper's pass but could only direct his shot a couple of yards wide. Rice then made a great save as he tipped Smart's header over the bar with Convery putting a free header wide from the resulting corner.

Conor Walsh's clever pass released Paul Walsh, a half-time substitute for Neal Gawley, and his cross broke to McMahon but his goal-bound shot was blocked. On the hour mark Kevin Pressman almost handed a goal to Glenavon when the former Owls keeper came out to prevent a back pass going out for a corner but instead he lost the ball. With the keeper stranded, Ross Black spurned the chance to shoot from a tight angle and his cross gave the Portadown defence time to get re-organized and eventually clear the danger. The lively Dale Malone, who had replaced Davy Hawthorne in the 58th minute, was tripped by Keith O'Hara right on the edge of the Portadown box, with Glenavon fans claiming it was inside. Ross Black flashed the free kick across the goal area, narrowly missing the far post.

Two minutes from time saw another Glenavon shout for a penalty, for handball by Peter Kennedy from Paul Walsh's cross. In stoppage time Marc McCann had the chance to seal the victory for the hosts when he broke clear but his shot went wide with only Rice to beat.

"Portadown opened up very well and we struggled to control them but once the game settled down I thought we got into our stride and, particularly in the second half, we put them under considerable pressure but we just couldn't get that second goal back. I did think we had claims for at least two penalty kicks. I thought there was a hand ball and the wee lad was brought down in the area but ...

"The second half performance was very encouraging; we pegged them back well and restricted Portadown to hitting us on the break whereas in the first half it was us hitting them on the break. That aspect was good and I was pleased with that.

"The quality of their free kicks and corners was very good. Peter Kennedy's free kicks were causing us all sorts of problems and we were giving away free kicks too cheaply so we had a word about that at half time and seemed to sort that out. The two goals were poor enough goals but again it was an encouraging performance but a disappointing result. We can't keep harping on about that: we've had that now for a number of weeks, giving decent performances against the better sides but we haven't been able to grind points out against them. We're just not clinical enough up front. A recognized goal scorer would be nice but we'll keep trying on that one.

"The boys gave their all and the fans gave them a good send off. I think we're heading in the right direction but we just need a few results to go our way and we are coming into a run of games now when we are expected to get results. Good performances but we need to start to get the results."

The Glenavon mascots line up before the Boxing Day Derby

22nd December: PAUL MCKNIGHT RELEASED

Glenavon have today released striker/midfielder Paul McKnight. Colin Malone described the former Rangers man as 'a very talented footballer but we just didn't see enough of Paul on the pitch. His release will free up funds to enable me to bring in other players when the transfer window opens next week."

18th December: IRISH CUP DRAW

The draw for the 5th Round of the Irish Cup was made today (Monday). Glenavon came out of the hat with a home draw against PSNI. The match will be played at Mourneview Park on Saturday 13th January with a 3:00pm kick off.

This year's competition sees a change in the format with no replays this time around, each game to be settled on the day with extra time and penalties if required.

Regrettably, the IFA was unable to attract a sponsor for what is the most important knock out competition in Northern Ireland football.

Glenavon chairman Sam Gardiner welcomes Glenavon 'legend' Tony Grant back on a visit to Mourneview Park. Also included is Glenavon sponsor, Raymond Acheson of Euro Construction Corporation Ltd.

CONOR WALSH

Midfielder Conor Walsh reckons that Glenavon’s rousing performance against Glentoran is proof positive that Colin Malone’s side has what it takes to make a significant impact this season. "It showed that we are good enough to challenge for a high finishing place in the Premier League," said the Drumaness man. "We lost ground against Newry City and Limavady Utd in the two games before the match at the Oval. However, those results are behind us. There are good players at Mourneview Park and we aim to show that between now and next April."

Walsh started his career at Drumaness Mills. In 2000 he joined Glentoran and won two Reserve League titles, two George Wilson Cup winners’ medals, and a Steel & Sons Cup gong with the East Belfast men. However, despite some consistent performances in the Reserve League, the combative midfielder failed to make a first-team breakthrough. In 2004 Conor re-joined Drumaness Mills. Fifteen months ago then Glenavon boss Jimmy Brown offered Walsh a second chance at top division level and he grasped it with both hands. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my spell with Glenavon," added Conor. "There is a good atmosphere in the dressing-room and the facilities at Mourneview Park are second to none."

At 23 Walsh is one of the younger members of the present Glenavon squad. "We have some very promising youngsters," added Walsh. "Paul Walsh, who scored that brilliant goal at the Oval, has been a real find, Neal Gawley is doing well and Ross Black looks the part at left-back. There are also a couple of lads in the reserves who will soon be knocking on the door of the first-team."

Walsh, a 6’ 1" gun boat with high energy levels, has been one of Glenavon’s most consistent performers this season. "Colin Malone is playing me in a ‘holding’ role in front of the back-four," Conor explained. "It is a position that I am comfortable in and so far it has worked well. Perhaps I don’t have the freedom to get forward that I have had in the past, but I don’t mind. It is great to be playing regularly and enjoying my football."

16th December: A BRAVE EFFORT

Glenavon 2-4 Linfield

Neal Gawley celebrates his opener for Glenavon

With Atiba Charles suspended, Marty Hunter had recovered from his hamstring problem and had another superb game in the centre of defence. Gerard McMahon missed out with a shin injury that he picked up in the first half last week at Solitude so both Glenavon's exciting young wingers Paul Walsh and Neal Gawley appeared in the starting line-up together for the first time. Conor Walsh donned the Captain's armband and once again turned in a super midfield performance.

Glenn Ferguson, making his 400th appearance for Linfield, should have scored to mark the occasion in the 4th minute but he somehow side footed across the goal and into the grateful arms of Rice with an open goal gaping. Hawthorne then burst into the Linfield box and had a right foot shot deflected onto the bar by Noel Baillie. Hunter almost set up a chance on a plate for Peter Thompson a minute later when he under hit a back pass but the striker ran the ball out of play.

Glenavon went ahead in the 16th minute after Hawthorne won the ball and passed it to Harper. His intelligent ball inside the left back picked out the run of Gawley but it looked as though the opportunity had gone when he was tackled but Murphy's attempted clearance went straight to the youngster and, after steadying himself, he fired a great right foot shot across Mannus and into the bottom corner. His celebratory back flips were worth the admission price alone!

Thompson had a great chance to equalise in the 32nd minute when a corner found its way to him at the back post but his weak effort from a couple of yards out was easily held by Paul Rice. Six minutes later Ferguson was denied when Hunter dived at his feet to divert an 8 yard shot over the bar and in first half stoppage time McCann fired a great effort just wide from 25 yards.

Glenavon would have been expecting a Linfield onslaught in the second half but the first chance fell to Nathan McConnell when Paul Walsh played him in but a weak left foot shot was easy for the keeper. The second half was only three minutes old though when Ferguson scored with a cracking shot from the edge of the box as Mouncey flicked on a ball that came from a kick out by Mannus. The ex-Glenavon striker went close with a 20 yard free kick before Gawley got on the end of a quick break with a deflected shot that drew a good save from the Linfield keeper.

Thompson's excellent turn and shot was well saved by Rice in the 59th minute before Gawley's free kick almost caught Mannus out, the keeper just getting down in the nick of time to push the ball away for a corner.

In the 73rd minute Glenavon broke through McConnell on the right and he played a decent low centre across the Linfield box for Gawley who seemed to be bundled over by Douglas, with referee Davy Malcolm awarding a penalty. TV replays later showed that Douglas had got a touch on the ball but from the referee's angle it must have looked like a good decision. Marty Hunter showed a cool head as he stepped up and put the spot kick high into the top corner to restore Glenavon's lead.

That lead lasted only three minutes though as Thompson's great first touch allowed him to control Douglas' cross and turn McDonnell to give Rice little chance with a shot from six yards. Glenavon were still reeling from that blow when McAlorum and Conor Walsh got in each other's way and the ball broke to Linfield substitute Mark Dickson. His first shot was headed straight back to him off a Glenavon defender. A second shot looped up high in the air and was dropping under the bar when Rice got a hand to push it onto the woodwork only for the rebound to drop to Thompson about a yard out and he had a simple header to give the visitors the lead for the first time.

With Glenavon heads dropping, a great solo goal by Dickson sealed Linfield's comeback victory as he raced down the left with Hunter in attendance before turning inside and tucking the ball in at the near post.

9th December: TWO REDS, NO GOALS

Cliftonville 0-0 Glenavon

Ken Ginnett keeps Conor Walsh and Conor Downey apart just before the dismissal of Atiba Charles

Glenavon had the better of the early exchanges with Neil Gawley's shot spilled by Connolly before Nathan McConnell was flagged offside as he tried to get a toe to the loose ball. Barry Johnston then cracked a 25 yard shot off Rice's crossbar.

Twenty minutes in saw the first major talking point with Atiba Charles being shown a red card by Referee Ken Ginnett who consulted both assistants before giving the big Trinidadian defender his marching orders for an off the ball incident with Davy McAlinden. Glenavon Assistant Manager Neil Carson was also dismissed for protesting the decision.

Just before the interval Ronan Scannell's 35 yard shot almost caught Rice out as it almost bounced over him at the foot of his post but he managed to push it round for a corner.

Gerard McMahon had limped off at half time and he did not reappear for the second half, his place being taken by Stephen McAlorum. Ten minutes into the second half Adrian Harper evaded two challenges and burst into the box and fired a low shot across Connolly who held it at the second attempt.

Paul Rice saved a penalty and made a couple of other good saves

In the 63rd minute McAlinden played a good through ball for Ronan Scannell and he went down just inside the box as Conor McAnallen tackled him. With the Reds' regular penalty taker Mark Holland out injured, skipper Liam Fleming took on the job only to see his spot kick brilliantly saved by Rice, diving away to his left. Immediately after this Fleming picked up a second yellow to add to a 54th minute caution for dissent and both sides finished the game with ten men.

Cliftonville piled on a lot of pressure but Glenavon looked dangerous on the break. Ross Black watched his 35 yard pile driver curl just wide of the far post and McConnell had a shot saved. Chris Scannell's 72nd minute header flashed across goal from his brother's free kick and minutes later Kennedy had a shot deflected onto the bar by a great block by McDonnell, with Scannell firing the rebound into the side netting. Rice was in action again in the 79th minute as he dived to his right to push McAlinden's overhead kick onto the post.

McAlorum broke down the left with Haveron and Harper in support but he was slow to react to Haveron's return ball and it was cleared for a throw in near the corner flag. Quick thinking by Black released McAlorum in the box and his touch set up a difficult chance for Harper from a narrow angle with his shot looping across the face of the goal. In the final minute Declan O'Hara launched a spectacular long range shot that crashed off the bar and away to safety.

"I think Atiba Charles was set up for it. He reacted to what was a wee bit of push and shove. I think Davy McAlinden made a complete meal of it and insinuated that Atiba Charles had struck him on the face. Anybody who knows Atiba Charles knows that certainly is not his game. I'm disappointed that the referee's been conned on that one and probably set the trend for the rest of the game, tackles flying in left right and centre. It wasn't pretty but it was a game in which both teams seemed very committed to the cause and it was going to be very cruel if anybody had to lose that game.

"The way luck has been going with us lately it would have been no surprise if we had lost this one but we've had good fortune today and in recent weeks we haven't had the fortune that maybe we deserved.

"It was a good display. I'm happy with the performance and certainly the payers gave me 110% there today and I'm absolutely delighted for them that they got something out of the game. It was a very good point considering that we played a lot of the game with ten men but it was ten men playing with the spirit of twelve, if you like. They were absolutely tremendous and at every opportunity they tried to take the game to Cliftonville. It wasn't as if we sat across the back line. We tried to come out and get at them and in my view I thought we deserved at least a point out of it."

Alternatively ...

Cliftonville Manager, Eddie Patterson

“From what I’ve been told, the first sending off, their boy, the linesman on the near side has stated that it was two yellows. He said that David McAlinden lifted his hand. I was watching the incident myself: David McAlinden didn’t left his hand at all whatsoever. The big lad elbowed him: deserved to go.”

“Then we have the incident where Declan O’Hara gets into a bit of an altercation with McConnell who was buffeting O’Hara and McAlinden all day – nothing happened. Lo and behold, same linesman, calls across the referee and tells him it’s McAlinden whereas it’s Declan O’Hara. So, for me, I believe the linesman has been targeting David McAlinden from the start of the game for whatever reason – I don’t know why. That’s two instances, the first he got wrong, completely wrong. Lucky enough the referee went to his senior linesman on the far side who gave a true account of what happened – the big number 5 had to walk.

"The second occasion concerning Declan O’Hara, Declan O’Hara should have been the guy to take the yellow card, not David McAlinden. I’d like to know what the reasons are behind the lineman on this side targeting David McAlinden.

“There was no mistaken identity about it. It was right in front of him. I seen it as clear from the stand. David McAlinden was not involved in the incident at all whatsoever; he was yards from it. I have to ask the question ‘Why the linesman has targeted David McAlinden’ – that’s the bottom line."

7th December AARON BLACK RELEASED

In a brief statement issued on Thursday evening, Glenavon Football Club announced that Aaron Black has been released by mutual consent.

5th December: MID-ULSTER CUP

Round 1: Glenavon 9-1 Killymoon Rangers

They keep getting younger! Dale Malone (L) scored his first Glenavon goal and Marty Havern was a lively replacement for Neil Gawley

After a nervy first 20 minutes an almost full-strength Glenavon side eventually ran out comfortable winners over Killymoon Rangers in the first round of the Mid-Ulster Cup, sponsored by Rushmere Shopping Centre.

Brief summary of the goals:

Charles (23) opened the scoring with a downward header from McMahon corner. Harper (26) with a tap in from McMahon’s cut-back. Hawthorne (28) scored with a good right foot finish from twelve yards, centre of box, after good work by Gawley and McConnell. Harper 45+2 punished hesitant defending in the box as he robbed the player and rifled a shot past the keeper in stoppage time.

HT 4-0

Sub P Walsh for Charles (HT)

Gawley supplied a super cross that almost gave Harper his hat trick with a diving header in the 57th minute but the keeper managed to save it.

Sub Haveron for Gawley (60)

Patrick McElhatton (62) pulled a goal back for the visitors. He ran onto a through ball and held off McAnallen before slotting the ball past Rice. McDonnell (65) headed in McMahon’s right wing free kick from near the half way line. Ross Black (66) scored a lovely goal with Harper laying on the pass into Black’s run. His fierce shot was parried by the keeper but Black followed in and headed the rebound into the empty net.

Sub Malone for Hawthorne (67)

McDonnell (79) scores with another header, in off the back post from McMahon’s left wing corner. Malone (82) curled the ball into the empty net from 22 yards after the keeper made a hash of a clearance on the edge of his area and only managed to slice the ball to the young substitute.

Paul Walsh (83) completes the scoring with a left foot daisy cutter from just inside the left corner of the box.

McElhatton, the Killymoon goal scorer, had a good chance to double his tally in the 88th minute when he broke clear and McDonnell missed a tackle on the edge of the Glenavon area but he lifted his shot over the bar with only Rice to beat.

1st December: UNLUCKY BLUES LOSE

Glenavon played a lot of excellent football in this game despite Colin Malone having to field a makeshift team due to the mounting injury list. Marty Hunter returned to the side and did well at the centre of the defence in place of Atiba Charles with Gavin McDonnell continuing in the other central defender role at which he proved excellent once again. Neil Gawley had recovered sufficiently from his knee injury to play 65 minutes and he almost opened the scoring in the 42nd minute when he turned Jeff Spiers in the box and forced a great save from Armstrong after McConnell had flicked on Hawthorne's cross. Earlier Hawthorne had a left foot shot from the 18 yard line that Armstrong saved comfortably. There were few efforts on target in the first half with Morrow firing just wide for the Crues in the 18th minute and Rice saving easily from Crawford's 43rd minute ground shot.

Nathan McConnell had the ball in the net in the 67th minute with a tap in from 6 yards after Neil Armstrong could only parry Adrian Harper's stinging left foot volley but his celebrations were cut short by the assistant referee's flag. The same official, Mr Shanks, was guilty of the most absurd offside decision a little later when he flagged Paul Walsh off when he must have been a good 5 yards onside.

Despite enjoying the majority of the possession, Glenavon still badly miss a second striker to play alongside McConnell who worked really hard throughout with little reward. The thinness of Glenavon's squad was illustrated by the fact that the substitutes' bench tonight consisted of two 18 year olds and a 16 year old!

Larmour failed to get a decisive touch at the back post to Morrow's 72nd minute cross-shot and Conor Walsh was unlucky six minutes later when he turned onto his left and curled a super shot that seemed to just clip the outside of Armstrong's left hand post with the Crues keeper looking worried.

The winning goal, which sees Crusaders move top of the League, came just nine minutes from the end when, ironically, Glenavon had an opportunity to break but Paul Walsh gave the ball away in midfield. Jeff Spiers found Chris Morrow on the edge of the penalty-area, the midfielder exchanged passes with David Larmour and drilled the ball past Paul Rice with his right foot.

With other results on the night not favouring Glenavon, the evening's proceedings dropped the Lurgan Blues to 12th place in the table.

"All credit to the players - they worked very very hard and it's so disappointing that they didn't get at least a share of the spoils and had our 'goal' have counted it would have been a different game.

"Attitude, commitment, again they gave it all and I was very pleased with the players' performance. Good football throughout and they worked tirelessly. It's a fine line again between winning and losing and a fine line between the top of the League and being in the lower regions where we've ended up tonight.

"I thought that was as good as the Glentoran performance last week. I thought we won the midfield battle and we looked resolute in defence. Obviously it's hard to get the support to Nathan but circumstances really forced us into the position.

"I'm so disappointed for the players and the supporters that we haven't got anything. We were as good as they were, had more possession and we used the ball better than them over the ninety but goals win games and we didn't get any.

"The supporters appreciated that performance. They will accept things as long as the players give 100% and I think they got that tonight."

HOME SUPPORT!

Glenavon defender Atiba Charles has brought a bit of the flavour of the Caribbean to Mourneview Park however he still misses the samba of home. Atiba has to maintain two mobile phones - one for local calls and one for the international link to his family and friends. There's no doubting his smile around Lurgan at the minute however - his partner and daughter have arrived for a six week holiday in Northern Ireland to be with him over Christmas.