Linfield FC U20s 3–2 Glenavon FC U20s

Glenavon U20s played only their second game of 2023 on Monday night as they made the journey to Midgley to play Linfield.

This game saw Conall Murray, Matthew Hughes and Ollie Crowe make their Glenavon debuts after joining the club in January. They join Cormac McNally and Jay McDowell who also joined the club this month.

Like most U20s matches, the game started a quick pace with Linfield putting the early pressure on the Glenavon back line.

The opening goal came in the ninth minute when some poor marking allowed Linfield to score from their first corner of the game.

The young Glenavon side responded well and made it 1-1 when Liam Corr lobbed the goalkeeper from a mistake in the Linfield back line.

Linfield also responded well from this set back and immediately worked the ball into the Glenavon box where they won a penalty from a late challenge and restored their lead to make it 2-1.

Glenavon worked hard in the first half but left themselves too open as Linfield continued to attack and create chances on the Glenavon goal.

The second half was a much more controlled game with Glenavon organising themselves better off the ball, preventing Linfield from getting through and putting pressure on the Glenavon goal.

Glenavon were almost rewarded on the 65th minute when a well worked move played Patrick Shearer through on goal, only for the Linfield goalkeeper to make a good save to keep the scoreline 2-1.

Glenavon continued to try and break the Linfield back line, but the young Lurgan blues final ball kept breaking down and were punished on the 75th minute when Linfield made it 3-1 from a quick counter attack.

Glenavon did find a consolation goal after Jack Harvey’s cross ended up in the Linfield net after a mistake from the goalkeeper.

Squad: S. Ferris, J. Harvey, H. Lynch, C. Murray, J. Quinn, S. Burns, C. McNally, M. Hughes, J. McDowell, L. Corr, P. Shearer. Subs: D. Brown, O. Crowe, L. McMaster, C. Henderson, J. Turner.