Ballymacash Rangers 1 Glenavon 3

Monday 10th July 2023

Aaron Prendergast scored his fifth and sixth goals of pre-season as Glenavon eased to a comfortable win at Ballymacash Rangers.

Prendergast (16, 90 mins) was on target in both halves. Cohen Henderson (59 mins) was also on the scoresheet. Former Portadown striker Benny Igiehon(30 mins) found the net for the home side.

Glenavon controlled the play for long periods but, in the main, failed to turn its dominance into goals.

In the 13th minute Isaac Baird released Robbie Garrett with a slide-rule pass but the former Portadown and Linfield midfielder’s shot cannoned against the underside of the crossbar and was cleared.

Three minutes later, Cohen Henderson broke through the middle of the Ballymacash defence and picked out Aaron Prendergast with a well weighed pass. When the 19–year–old let fly from 10 yards, the ball exploded into the corner of the net.

Henderson and Prendergast, ably supported by Stephen Teggart on the right, continued to exploit holes in the home side’s defence. Cohen shot wide and had another effort saved. A.P. also tested the goalkeeper and dragged an effort past the post.

Ballymacash scored with its first attempt on goal. Dillon Davidson’s corner kick found Igiehon in space and his shot ricocheted off Tiernan Mulvenna on its way to the net.

Seconds before the half-time break Teggart found space on the right side of the penalty area but drilled the ball across the face of goal and wide.

Two minutes into the second half Dillon Davidson tested Ben Purvis with a free-kick effort from 20 yards.

Cohen Henderson, always eager to run at defenders, shot from 20 yards but his effort was easily saved. A few minutes later he got the goal his efforts deserved. Ironically, it came from a set-piece. Niall Quinn delivered the ball to the six-yard area and the Lurgan teenager headed it into the net.

New signing Andy Mooney had two opportunities to score late in the game. Both times he was released by Johnny McCullough, another new recruit, but on each occasion, he dragged his attempt wide.

McCullough blasted wildly over the crossbar and Prendergast hit the side netting as Glenavon continued to dictate.

The third goal duly arrived in the 90th minute when A.P. climbed high to nod Niall Quinn’s cross into the net.

Ballymacash’s only noteworthy effort during the final 40 minutes was a Michael Moore shot which Ben Purvis blocked and then cleared.

GLENAVON: Purvis, Baird, Trialist C, Lynch, Snoddy, Garrett, Mulvenna, Trialist G, Henderson, Prendergast, Teggart, SUBS: Gracey (not used), Fry (not used), Quinn for Trialist G (58 mins), Malone for Teggart (54 mins), McCullough for Mulvenna (54 mins), Mooney for Henderson (64 mins), Norton for Trialist C (64 mins), Kerr (not used).