Glenavon welcome Larne to Mourneview Park this Saturday afternoon as they look to end a miserable run against the Invermen.
The Lurgan Blues have won just one of their last 15 games against Larne and have lost their last six meetings on the bounce against Tiernan Lynch’s side.
If they’re going to do it this time around, they’re going to have to do it without Conor McCloskey and Andy Hall, who joined the injury list during Tuesday night’s draw with Coleraine.
Speaking about Conor’s injury following the game, Gary Hamilton told Glenavon Media: “He’s got a hamstring so it doesn’t look too good.
“It’s going to be a massive blow for us because Conor’s been exceptional for us this year.”
McCloskey and Hall join Lee McNulty, Michael O’Connor and Calum Birney on the injury list.
Larne are chasing European football, and are unbeaten in their last four games. Not only that, but they had a night off on Tuesday, meaning they come into the game fresher than the Lurgan Blues.
“It’s going to be a tough game, they’re full time so they have an advantage over us. They’ve had a proper recovery – they’re not having to go in and do a day’s work like our boys,” said Gary.
“But we’ve done OK this year, we’ve competed with some of the so-called bigger teams – on a couple of occasions we’ve let ourselves down but mostly we’ve been very good and competed.
“Hopefully we can get the boys up, get them recovered – we’ll need to take a look at our injury list and assess who’s available – but hopefully we can get another positive result.”
Ex-Glenavon and Larne midfielder Stuart King joins the Glenavon Media team on commentary as the sides meet tomorrow.
We’ve also got a special interview with Josh Daniels on life at Shrewsbury Town, as well as interviews with Matthew Fitzpatrick, Matthew Snoddy and Craig Hyland. All this and more for £5 (free for Glenavon season ticket holders). Our coverage begins at 2.30pm – don’t miss it!
You can watch the game at 247.tv/niprem.
MATCH OFFICIALS
REFEREE: Tim Marshall
ASSISTANT REFEREE: Paul Robinson, Mark O’Brien
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Mark Dillon
SPONSORS
MATCH SPONSORS: The Glenavon Media team, Mourne Road Spar, Brian Odgers, Lawrence Davidson, Clifford Dennison and Paul Adamson.
BALL SPONSORS: Robert James Clothing, Portadown
MAN OF THE MATCH SPONSOR: Bluebell Cottage, Moira and Holywood
LAST TIME OUT: Glenavon were soundly beaten 4-1 by title challengers Larne at Mourneview Park on Tuesday night.
The visitors took the lead on 21 minutes when the impressive Lee Lynch fired home from the edge of the box.
The home team equalised five minutes later when Michael O’Connor converted from the penalty spot after Albert Watson had handled a Conor McCloskey cross, and the sides remained level at half-time.
However, Larne went through the gears in the second half and took the game away from Glenavon, captain Jeff Hughes restoring their lead on 50 minutes when he scored from a Mark Randall free-kick.
Ronan Hale then doubled the away side’s advantage in the 59th minute, collecting a superb through-ball from Randall and calmly slotting past Glenavon goalkeeper Craig Hyland.
Substitute Andrew Mitchell wrapped up the three points for Larne on 83 minutes when he scored a spot-kick following Andrew Doyle’s foul on Hale.
