Glenavon make the long trip to the North coast tonight as they get set to face Coleraine.
The fixture has a proven track record of goals, drama and excitement, with tonight’s shaping up to be no exception. From last minute equalisers to meaty tackles, this fixture has it all, promising to be a great viewing for the travelling fan.
Gary Hamilton spoke to Glenavon Media last Saturday, looking ahead to the match.
“Coleraine have started well, they’ve beaten Cliftonville and Portadown this season so it’s going to be tough,” Hamilton said.
“We never get an easy game against Coleraine and Friday night will be no different.
“We’ll have to come up with a plan because obviously we are without four players through suspension.
“If we put in the same effort that we did in the second half against Ballymena and all of the game against Larne then you always have a chance.
“But we need to get that effort and keep 11 men on the pitch as that would give us a better chance of winning games.”
The hosts have had a great start to the season, with comfortable wins over Ciftonville, Portadown and Carrick in their opening games of the season
Glenavon have had a rockier start in comparison, with one draw and a dramatic loss, they will be seeking to find their first win of the new league campaign.
LAST TIME OUT
What drama at the Coleraine Showgrounds!
Glenavon gave it all they had to hang on for victory, having powered into a three goal lead. But when goalkeeper James Taylor was sent off the game completely changed and Coleraine fought their way back into the game.
However, they held on and sent the travelling fans on the long journey home with smiles upon their faces.
The visitors took the lead in spectacular style after Conor McCloskey had been fouled on the right hand side of the Coleraine box. Campbell decided to go for goal despite the awkward angle and did well to beat Gareth Deane with 16 minutes on the clock.
Seven minutes after the restart Glenavon were 2-0 ahead when Jack O’Mahony drove forward and, with a lovely ball, found Fitzpatrick who finished superbly with a powerful low shot under the goalkeeper.
McLoughlin was unlucky again when he hit the post from a Curtis Allen cross. The ball was cleared for a Coleraine corner but Glenavon broke through Campbell. He slipped Jack O’Mahony through and he made no mistake as he went one-on-one with Deane.
McLaughin finally got his goal on 76 minutes when he bundled the ball into the net, but in the aftermath James Taylor was sent off for clashing with the Coleraine forward as they came out of the goalmouth. Fitzpatrick went in goal for the Lurgan Blues.
The deficit was reduced to one goal when Allen scored from the penalty spot after McLaughlin was fouled on the edge of the box, sending the stand-in goalkeeper the wrong way.
The win was Glenavon’s first at the Coleraine Showgrounds since October 2018.
(Source: YourLurgan – https://bit.ly/3ctFuqJ)
Tickets can be bought online here: https://bit.ly/3dUMRbi
Glenavon supporters are asked to park in the Vineyard car park at the bottom of Hillmans way, gaining entry to the ground via the back of the stadium.
PLAYER NEWS
Andy Hall and Michael O’Connor will be unavailable to the managers depleted squad tonight.
4 players will be ruled out due to suspension. Eoin Bradley, Andrew Doyle, Jack Malone and Calum Birney.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Shane Andrews
Assistant Referees: Jamie Carnduff, Stephen Bell
Fourth Official: Peter McGrath
