Glenavon return to the scene of last season’s unfortunate play-off semi-final defeat on Saturday when they travel to Inver Park to face Larne.

While the memories of that late, late defeat to Tiarnan Lynch’s side might be at the back of some minds, there’s no doubt about what will be fresher in Gary Hamilton’s player’s memories – a desperately poor display against Ballymena United last week.

The past week has been “a case of getting back to the training ground and working hard in preparation for Saturday”, according to Gary.

“It wasn’t acceptable. I totally understand the fans’ reaction after the defeat to Ballymena.

“In terms of the game we tried everything we could – we made changes from the bench, we changed the formation – but it wasn’t to be.

“When the players take to the pitch and cross that white line they need to take more responsibility.”

Larne will provide a stern challenge for the Lurgan Blues – they sit second in the Danske Bank Premiership, five points behind leaders Cliftonville.

They have lost just one of their last 10 games, incidentally to the Reds, with Lee Lynch leading the goalscoring charts for the Inver Reds on six goals.

Glenavon will be without five players through injury, namely Michael O’Connor, James Singleton, Conor McCloskey, Mark Haughey and Jamie Doran. Matthew Snoddy will also be missing through suspension.

Tickets for the game are still available and can be bought by clicking here.

LAST TIME OUT: It took a speculative effort from 25 yards to consign brave Glenavon to an unfortunate defeat against Larne.

Andrew Mitchell’s effort 11 minutes from time was all that could separate the two teams on a cold September evening at Mourneview Park.

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE: Lee Tavinder 

ASSISTANT REFEREES: John Doherty, Bogdan Sfirloaga

FOURTH OFFICIAL: Niall Gallagher