JANUARY 2006

TRANSFER TALK

Despite strenuous efforts and a generous offer to Portadown, Jim Brown was unable to secure the signature of midfielder Paddy Quinn who will now be staying at Shamrock Park until the end of the season when his contract runs out.

Glenavon Chairman Roy Ferguson was also busy behind the scenes in the weeks leading up to the transfer window in a bold attempt to re-sign popular English striker Ryan Zico-Black. Zico-Black, who had a successful spell with Glenavon in the 2003-2004 season, is currently with Kettering Town having been signed by Paul Gascoigne.

With Gazza's departure Black found himself out of favour with new manager, former Northern Ireland International, Kevin Wilson and would have been keen on a move back to Mourneview Park. Wilson was considering a loan deal for Zico-Black but he too has been sacked by Kettering - for the second time - after a run of only one win in 12 games. Ironically Zico-Black scored in that win and his excellent performance may well have swayed Wilson against the loan deal!

MID-ULSTER CUP JOY

Holders Glenavon made it through to the semi-final of the Rushmere Mid-Ulster Cup thanks to a 2-1 victory over neighbours Lurgan Celtic.

Report and photos

The hosts were looking comfortable after taking a 2-0 lead into the interval, with goals from Peter Telford, his first since signing for Glenavon, and Neil Gawley with his first of the season. The opener came in the 32nd minute when Verner was played in down the left wing by young Andy Uprichard, in his first start in the Senior team. Verner cut along the bye line and fired over a low cross that Telford smashed in from a couple of yards out.

Gawley added the second in the final minute of the half when he stroked a low shot into the far corner from just inside the box. This followed a good layoff by Telford after Black had brought the ball out of the Glenavon half.

McKnight and Verner were denied chances to seal the victory in the second half with Conor Fox in the Bhoys' goal pulling off a couple of fine saves. Then 18 minutes from time Stephen Magennis pulled a goal back to leave the hosts a little nervous in the closing stages. Verner could have made sure of the win in injury time when he showed great control on the chest to bring down a long ball over the top but, one-on-one with Fox, he once again allowed the keeper to make a save.

In Tuesday's other Quarter Finals, Dungannon beat Lurgan Town Boys on penalties after the match ended 0-0, Laurelvale from the Intermediate League shocked Loughgall by beating the Villagers 1-0 and Annagh United took Newry City to extra time before the Premier League side eventually came through 2-0 winners.

28th January 2006: VERNER DOUBLE SEALS VITAL WIN

Another double from Marty Verner and a cracking 25 yard left foot strike from Kieran O'Connor eventually allowed Glenavon to see off a spirited Ards outfit that had been the better side in the first half. Conor Walsh had the first chance of the game after 3 minutes when he volleyed over from Barry Reid's cross but the best chances of the half belonged to Ards. Jason Hill fired wide from Andrew Waterworth's free kick and he was unlucky when Ards worked a clever move from a Marty Hunter free kick with Hill spinning out of the Glenavon wall and only a last-ditch intervention by Scott walker diverted Hill's shot onto the bar and out for a corner.

Waterworth himself missed an open goal just before the break when he spun and shot on the turn after a rare mistake by Miller in the Glenavon goal as he came for a high ball and dropped it.

Glenavon looked a different side in the second half with the midfield quartet of O'Connor, Walsh, Duxbury and Walker at last getting to grips with the Ards five-man midfield and it didn't take long for the visitors to capitalise.

Verner's opener came just two minutes into the second half when he slotted home the rebound after new signing Carlos Alvarez had seen a header come back off the post from Barry Reid's long throw.

Verner's second effort was a penalty, the second in successive games. The referee adjudged that Ards debutant keeper Ciaran McLaughlin had brought Verner down as he raced onto Telford's clever reverse pass but it looked a harsh decision. To compound Ards' misery, full back Gary Wray was dismissed after he received a second yellow card for protesting about the award of the penalty.

O'Connor sealed what had turned into a comfortable victory when he smashed home a great left-foot shot on the half volley that flew past McLaughlin and into the top corner fifteen minutes from time.

Post-match Reactions

Jim Brown: "A win by 3-0 away from home and you have to be happy but I wish we'd do this at home! All our best results have been on the road so that's the next challenge - can we start doing it in our home matches?

"The first half was very competitive. They were playing five in midfield and it wasn't a pretty game to watch. After the first ten minutes it was all Ards. We didn't compete as well but we got in at halftime, glad to be 0-0 and we sorted it out. There was a complete change in the attitude and the work ethic of our midfield.

"It was crucial to get the first goal. Verner scored two. We didn't see very much from him but he was in the right spot at the right time. Regarding the penalty, you get some and some you don't get. I think the guy played the ball and Marty went over him. We've had some big penalty claims turned down. They say it evens itself over the season so we'll take it. Marty dispatched it very well.

"The third goal was an absolute cracker. There's not too many Kieran hits with his left foot on the volley but it was an absolute stunner and I was glad to see it going in!

"Alvarez has only started back into pre-season training. He had been home (to Bolivia) and he's just back to Sligo this week so it's hard to judge and these conditions didn't really suit him. We played a practice match on Thursday night and he looked handy at Mourneview, you know the open spaces where he was able to show off his skills."

Lee Duxbury: "Three points: that's the most important part of the match; a horrible scrappy match. I don't think it was good for the spectators, it weren't good for the players but at the end of the day it's three points.

"In the first half Ards held the upper hand for a spell and that was the lads in midfield's fault because Ards were winning more knockdowns. We had to get a grip in midfield in the second half, which we did. We got an early goal and the other two goals which the lads were delighted with.

"It were fast and furious. Matches like this you can read the script. You know it's going to be fast and furious; everybody hooking it on. They're fighting for their lives so you know what the first twenty minutes, half an hour is going to be like and they won the battle in midfield. That's why they were on top. We got a ticking off at half time and we came out and sorted that problem out. We dominated the midfield in the second half - that's what changed it.

"I'm enjoying it. It's nice to play again with stands around! I retired but I just wanted to enjoy football and I played for a colleague, Lee Sinnott, at a Premier Unibond side just to enjoy me football at the end of me career. I know Pete (Batey) from school and he asked me to come over and I were delighted to."

21st January 2006: THRILLING DRAW

Goals from Marty Verner twice saw Glenavon come from behind to earn a point against the Whites. Glenavon's newly signed keeper James Millar pulled off an incredible save inside the first minute to deny the lively 18 year old Ryan Catney but he could do nothing to keep out Aaron Johnston's close range effort after 25 minutes when he got on the end of Murphy's low cross.

Verner brought the scores level on the stroke of half time when his low shot from the edge of the box took a bobble over Matthew's outstretched arm and ended up in the bottom corner. Verner almost put Glenavon in front two minutes into the second half when he ran onto an excellent ball from Hyndes but Matthews rushed to the edge of his area and managed to get his hand to Verner's dink.

Seconds later Glenavon was behind again when Catney's shot rebounded off Barry Reid and fell nicely for Johnston who rifled an unstoppable shot low to Millar's right from 25 yards.Verner was in the thick of the action minutes later when he got his head to Walker's cross but he put his header straight at Mathews from 8 yards out.

Glenavon levelled from the spot in the 64th minute after Verner was brought down by Buchanan following a great touch by Peter Telford that released McKnight on the left edge of the White's box. He centred the ball for Verner who appeared to be hauled down by the big defender. Verner picked himself up and smashed the ball low to the keeper's left.

Telford, signed on loan from Cliftonville, had replaced Aidan McVeigh in the first half when he had picked up a back injury in a collision with Matthews. Telford had shown himself to have a good touch but unfortunately this let him down 18 minutes from the end when he failed to control Walsh's cross when only 8 yards out.

Verner then had another great chance to grab all three points when Walker's great run opened up the Whites and he slipped Verner in but once again the keeper made a vital stop just inside his box. Two minutes from the end saw the excellent Francis Murphy smash a shot off the angle of post and bar and then Walker's last-ditch tackle had to be perfectly timed to deny a chance for Johnston.

Post-match reactions

Jim Brown: "That was a good advertisement for Irish League football - end to end stuff and both sets of supporters were on the edges of their seats right to the death. It was a superb game to watch.

"I thought we shaded the chances. When you consider the three clear cut chances that Marty Verner had. You'd put your house on Marty in those sort of situations. He's sitting in there gutted and he's disappointed with himself that he didn't grab a hat trick and win the game for us.

"Overall it was a very even game and I think a draw was a fair result.

"Next week's a very important game for us. We want to take the three points to keep Ards down in there and help take us a step or two up the table.

"The young keeper was outstanding. Distillery had the edge on chances in the first half but he made two outstanding saves - the first one I just don't know how he got to it. He had a very competent debut."

Paul Kirk: "I didn't think we looked potent up front. We didn't have that real cutting edge. The goal keeper they brought in done great. He made a cracking save in the first minute and another good one in a scramble that should have put the game out of sight.

"It's disappointing when you take the lead twice and lose it but Jimmy will be the opposite. He'll be thinking 'Well, we've come back twice and shown a bit of character'

"In terms of chances we won the game but in terms of finishing the result was fair because both teams only put the ball in the net twice."

GERRY AND THE PEACEMAKERS

News has reached us of a supporters club recently formed in war-torn Iraq. Known as THE BAGHDAD TRIANGLE GLENAVON SUPPORTERS CLUB (as if they didn’t have enough trouble already). Founder member is Moira man Gerry Marks, one of that intrepid group of Glenavon supporters, better known as The Corner Boys. Gerry, working in Baghdad with the coalition forces as an advisor to the Iraqi civil authority, is kept up to date on Glenavon matters daily by text or by email via the Glenavon mailing list and our website.

Home recently on a spot of R & R, Gerry returned to the war zone with lots of Glenavon memorabilia to decorate the official clubroom (his sleeping quarters), with the advice of The Corner Boys fresh in his ears, “Keep yer heid doon big lad”. Come to think of it I wonder which of the Glenavon directors will volunteer to attend the annual dinner. Have you any suggestions as to which one we should send?

19th January 2006: KEEPER SIGNED

Glenavon Manager Jim Brown has secured the services of Institute goal keeper Gary Ramsey. The 25 year old will provide Brown with a second senior keeper and he may go straight into the side in the next match with Glenavon's only other senior keeper, Andy McDonald, suspended for one game from Monday 16th January.

14th January 2006: GLENAVON THROUGH

After going behind to a second minute goal from a free kick by Dundela's left back, Brian Hylands, Glenavon went close a couple of times through Aidan McVeigh before debutant Lee Duxbury found himself unmarked at the near post and nodded an equaliser from a 26th minute Marty Verner corner.

The First Division side matched Glenavon for much of the first half and Glenn Upton should have restored the lead on the half hour mark but he fired wide when well placed after good work by Craig McCracken. Four minutes later McVeigh crashed a shot off the bar with Miskelly possibly getting a touch.

In the 69th minute Verner had a "goal" disallowed for offside by the referee, despite the fact that his assistant indicated he was onside. Mr Hiles also missed a clear handball in the Dundela box five minutes from time but three minutes later he did award a penalty for handball when McVeigh put Murray under pressure and the defender controlled the ball with his arm. Verner stepped up and smashed a left foot strike into the net, sending Miskelly the wrong way, and booking Glenavon a place in the next round.

Post-match Reactions

Pete Batey: "A win's a win. We'll take it. I thought we played well in spells. Even after they scored early I was still confident we'd get a win. It just asked another question of us when we did concede the goal. The boys bounced back and worked hard - it was a cup game. You don't win them 5 or 6 nil - look at Man Utd and Boston!"

Marty Verner: "I used to play for the Duns but it didn't work out so there's a bit of history there and there was no way anyone else was going to get that penalty off me! With Shea gone, nobody had decided who was taking the penalties - it was just the way it happened.

"I was disappointed with the goal that was given offside. In my opinion I was onside and the linesman gave it as if I was onside but the referee's the man that makes the decisions...

"Conceding 11 goals in the last two games, okay Linfield's scoring 5 or 6 against everybody but last week (against Dungannon) it was just a shambles. We owed a performance for the gaffer, the back room staff and the fans - they pay in every week and last week just wasn't acceptable."

Mervyn Bell: "Totally gutted - I thought we matched them all the way. I thought the penalty was ball to hand or it was his arm really but he did gain control of it - I can't argue.

"I'm disappointed. For long periods we matched Glenavon and on occasions we outplayed them too. We got off to a super start with a super goal - a well taken free kick and we more than held our own after that.

"The equalising goal was slack marking on our part rather than good play by them. I didn't think in the first half they created that much. In the second half there was a lot of pressure but you expect that - you're playing a Premier League side; they are at home but at the end of the day I thought Dundela looked every bit as good as Glenavon."

SUSPENSIONS

The IFA Disciplinary Committee announced the following suspensions, with effect from Monday 16th January:

Four games: Stephen McAlorum

One game: Shea Campbell (now Armagh City), David McAlinden, Andrew McDonald, Johnny Montgomery (now Dungannon Swifts), Conor Walsh.

MID-ULSTER GAME POSTPONED BY IFA

Following a meeting of the IFA this afternoon (Monday), the following statement was issued ...

"Following an emergency meeting of the Irish Football Association office bearers this afternoon, the Mid Ulster Football Association has been informed that the Mid Ulster Cup quarter-final ties Dungannon Swifts v Lurgan Town Boys (Monday 16 January 2006 at Stangmore Park) and Glenavon v Lurgan Celtic Bhoys (Tuesday 17 January 2006 at Mourneview Park) have been postponed.

"At a fixture planning meeting in April 2005 it was agreed that these matches would be played on Tuesday 31 January 2006 and the Association has not received a formal request from the Mid Ulster Football Association to play on an alternative date."

SHEA CITY BOUND

Shea Campbell has signed a one year contract with Armagh City. The 24-year old striker was made available to other clubs by Glenavon manager Jim Brown this week. Campbell, who had a spell on loan with City last season, told the BBC "I am disappointed the way things worked out at Glenavon but wish them well."

Meanwhile Brown is working on a number of options but will not be making signings just for the sake of it. He was disappointed to lose out to Linfield with Tim McCann and, if the right players are not available in January, may prefer to wait until the Summer.

LEE DUXBURY SIGNED

Jim Brown tonight confirmed the signing of experienced Football League midfielder Lee Duxbury on a short term contract. The former Bury midfielder was signed by the Gigg Lane club from Oldham Athletic at the start of last season, after spending seven years with the Latics. He previously played for Bradford City and has over 600 League games in a four-club career.

MEMORIAL UNVEILED

... to the late, great Glenavon journalist Bill Ireland at Mourneview on Tuesday morning, with over 70 people in attendance.

A plaque in Bill's memory was unveiled in the foyer at the boardroom entrance by family members and his colleagues in the Football Writers Association who travelled down to hold their monthly meeting at Mourneview before the formalities.

Glowing tributes were paid to Bill and to Glenavon for allowing the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association to  honour Bill's memory there, by Ivan Martin, Chairman, and Malcolm Brodie, Life President.

Roy Ferguson and Adrian Teer replied on behalf of Glenavon.

Jim Gracey

PLAYER OF THE SEASON AWARD LAUNCHED

On Monday 2nd January 2005, the Glenavon Supporters Fundraising Committee launched ‘The Alan Steele Award for the Glenavon Player of the Season'. The award is now the official player of the year competition for Glenavon Football Club. The trophy itself is a specially commissioned Tyrone Crystal football complete with the club crest and will be on display in the boardroom.

Committee Chairman Craig Collen explained the idea behind the award "Alan was a founder member and the secretary of our committee and we felt that this award is a fitting way to remember Alan’s name."

All supporters will be eligible to vote for their player of the year - as in days gone by - through the local press, supporters' clubs and the Club itself, when the season is drawing to a close.

7th January 2006: TOTAL DEMOLITION

Dungannon steamrollered a Glenavon team that never recovered from a 15th minute penalty by David Scullion awarded after Barry Reid handled the ball in the box. It would be stretching credulity to say that things may have been different had Shea Campbell's 30th minute header not been turned on to the post by Cushley for, by then, Aaron Black had been dismissed for two innocuous challenges that the referee Ken Ginnett deemed worthy of yellow cards.

Just before the break Michael Ward found himself totally alone in the box after Cushley held a Glenavon corner and threw the ball out to Scullion. The pacy winger raced down the left wing, drew the defenders towards him and threaded the ball to Ward who slotted past the helpless McDonald.

Ten minutes earlier Mr Ginnett had evened up the numbers when he showed a straight red to Terry Fitzpatrick for an off the ball incident with Davy McAlinden who picked up a yellow.

In the second half, once Rodney McAree's 25 yard drive flew past a bemused McDonald, Glenavon simply collapsed and Timmy Adamson was able to score a hat trick in under 20 minutes.

In the dying seconds Shea Campbell received a straight red for an off the ball incident with McAree, his second such offence following his Boxing Day dismissal against Portadown. Perhaps his absence for next week's Irish Cup match will force Brown to abandon the 3-4-3 formation which has seen Glenavon concede 17 goals in the last six games, scoring only six in reply.

Post-match Reaction

Jim Brown: "Obviously that's the fairly good away record smashed. We were totally demolished today; given a lesson in finishing, work rate and attitude.

"I'm absolutely gutted at the result. Fair play to Dungannon they worked hard, they took their chances and they gave us a lesson in every area of the pitch. I've got to get the head down now and try to get these guys lifted for the Irish Cup match next week.

"I'm extremely disappointed that we weren't able to compete as well as Dungannon. I always thought it would be one of our strong points; that any team of mine wouldn't be lying down so much. I'm sorry for the fans who had to watch that."

2nd January 2006: GLENAVON 'SPIKED'

Old boy, Glenn 'Spike' Ferguson helped himself to four goals: two penalties, a trademark near post header and a fabulous 25 yard volley to help the runaway leaders to a comfortable 5-0 win, Oran Kearney supplying the other goal.

Glenavon worked hard but never really looked like matching the performance at Windsor Park on the opening day, with the visitors matching them for effort and work rate.

The opener came from the spot after Marty Verner handled Ferguson's free kick on the edge of the box. Glenavon may have had a just cause to complain that Linfield had 'stolen' about five yards so the wall should have been outside the box but Ferguson made no mistake from the spot.

The second goal came as Kearney intercepted new boy Conor McAnallen's pass and burst through the middle to finish with a low shot past McDonald. Glenavon then held out until the 68th minute when an unmarked Ferguson made a run to the near post to meet McAreavey's free kick and nod it past McDonald. Glenavon were by then missing the presence of Davy McAlinden at the back as he had limped off five minutes earlier with a kick to the calf muscle.

The second penalty was awarded as Ferguson got his body between McDonald and a long kick out from Mannus. It appeared that the keeper got his hand to the ball but the referee Mr Turkington saw it as a penalty which Ferguson duly dispatched to complete his hat trick. The final goal was a peach of a volley as another long clearance dropped over his shoulder and he smashed the ball left footed over the helpless McDonald.

Glenavon really only tested Mannus a couple of times in the second half with McVeigh having the best chance three minutes from time.

Post-match reactions

Jim Brown: "There's very little I can say other than to congratulate Linfield on a very strong performance. I'm disappointed we didn't pick anything up after we played so well against Linfield in the first match at Windsor Park but it didn't work out that way.

"I wasn't happy with the penalty decisions but that would be taking away from Linfield's performance. I thought the first was a poor decision and I don't know how he gave the second one. Spike Ferguson himself looked up and thought 'What's he giving this for?'

"I think our guys have got to look at Linfield's performance and say 'That's what we've got to aspire to.' because it was awesome in terms of their finishing power and their pace and strength.

"I've come here and stage one is just to keep Glenavon in the Premier League and we are certainly on track to do that. Stage two is to move on hopefully next year. That show today gives an indication of what you have to be able to do, the types of players you have and the attitudes that are there to be able to go and win the Premiership.

"In the future that's where we want to try and head. Glenavon is a big club and I want to try and get them up in there because that's the way I want to see my teams play."

David Jeffrey: "We told our players we had to match them physically. I thought we did that and Ferguson and Thompson led the line brilliantly. I felt the two penalties were two 'stonewallers'. If a player puts his hand up and stops the ball it's a blatant penalty and the second penalty, my goodness gracious me, it was very easy to give but overall the performance was top drawer.

"Glenavon, to be fair to them, worked very very hard, well organised, pushed us all the way, fought for every single ball so for anybody to say this was a walk in the park or a stroll, that's a load of bloomin' tripe. I know how hard we had to work but the difference was the quality of some of the players. We always feel that if we match other teams for work rate and commitment then you're usually going to get something out of the game."

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