Gary Hamilton has warned his Glenavon team not to drop their guard against Dungannon Swifts this Saturday (3pm).

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While results may not have gone the way the Glenavon manager would have liked, certainly the performances put in by Gary’s players have pleased the manager.

However, the boss still has the horror show against Carrick Rangers in the back of his mind. He’s keen to avoid a repeat of that particular performance against the Swifts.

“We need the same effort, hunger and desire that we have shown in the last five matches,” said Gary.

“When we played Carrick here we didn’t have those things, we didn’t show that pressing game that we play, and we deservedly got beaten 4-0.

“Anything can happen in football if you’re not mentally right for it on the day, and that’s the one thing our boys need to do – they need to look at the mental side of the last five games and take that into Saturday because we all know they can play. They have proven that.

“But they need to be hungry, full of energy and we need to win the battle, first and foremost, because that’s what Irish League football comes down to. If you don’t win that battle against any team in this league, then any team is capable of turning you over.”

Both sides come into the game out of form – Glenavon are seeking a first league win in six game, while Dungannon have lost all but one of their matches in the Danske Bank Premiership.

The Lurgan Blues have doubts over the availability of Michael O’Connor, Andrew Doyle and Matthew Fitzpatrick, but Mark Stafford is available for selection.

LAST TIME OUT: Glenavon secured a spot in the European playoffs after their 1-1 draw with Dungannon Swifts in the final league game of the season.

A point was all they needed to secure the semi-final place against Larne – although the Lurgan Blues might well feel that they should have had all three points in a game where they created the majority of the chances.

The game got off to the perfect start for Gary Hamilton’s side when Danny Purkis capitalised on poor defending to put Glenavon in front after 20 seconds.

However, while Glenavon pushed on and created numerous chances in the first half, with nine minutes to go before the break Dungannon equalised. Substitute Caolan McAleer found Ben Gallagher, who took his opportunity to level the scores.

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE: Tim Marshall

ASSISTANT REFEREE: Adam Jeffrey, Bogdan Sfirloaga

FOURTH OFFICIAL: Neil Robinson

SPONSORS

MATCH SPONSORS: The Ex-Directors

BALL SPONSORS: Ian Malcolmson

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH SPONSOR: Robert James Fine Clothing