GLENAVON SUFFERS NARROW DEFEAT AGAINST CLIFTONVILLE

Glenavon 1 Cliftonville 2

Sports Direct Irish Premiership

Mourneview Park, Lurgan

Saturday 17th August 2024

Cliftonville scored a goal in either half to condemn Glenavon to a 2-1 defeat on the second weekend of the new Premiership season.

Joe Gormley (16 mins) and Shea Gordon (57 mins) did the damage for Jim Magilton’s side. James Doona (70 mins) replied for the Lurgan Blues.

Despite the result, it was an improved performance by Stephen McDonnell’s team. Indeed, had referee Evan Boyce awarded a penalty-kick when Mark Haughey’s jersey was pulled by Johnny Addis late in the second half, the home side might have taken a point.

Neither side made a particularly auspicious start. Jack Malone saw a shot saved easily at one end, while Gordon’s weak effort was grasped by Gareth Deane at the other.

Then the Reds went in front. When Peter Campbell failed to control the ball on the edge of the Glenavon penalty-area, Gormley pounced to send a pinpoint right foot drive arrowing into the corner of the net. It was a fine opportunist strike.

Gordon found Sean Stewart with an accurate pass. Deane was forced to move quickly to block the defender’s well hit shot.

Gormley created an opening for Ronan Doherty, but Jack Malone brilliantly intercepted the Reds’ attacker’s goal–bound effort.

Late in the half Jack Malone went down injured after challenging for possession with Shea Gordon. It was soon apparent that the former Derry City man had suffered a bad knock. Play was delayed for almost eight minutes before he was carried from the pitch.

Cliftonville started the second half on the front foot and almost extended its lead when Gormley side footed the ball wide at the back post after a good cross by Doherty.

Rhys Marshall, who had an excellent second 45 minutes, carried the ball for 50 yards before releasingPeter Campbell. Unfortunately, the Richhill man, delivered a poor cross. When the ball was recycled, Niall Quinn shot high and wide from the edge of the penalty area.

The Reds took a 2-0 lead in the 57th minute. Doherty found Gordon with a brilliant cross to the back post and the midfielder scored from close-range.

The concession of a second goal injected more urgency into Glenavon’s play. David McDaid’s deflected effort was well saved by Odumosu and James Doona cut in from the left but shot wildly over.

Joe Gormly was still causing problems at the other end. First, he sent Gordon clear, but the shot went wide. Then, he made a darting run across the face of the penalty area before chipping the ball narrowly wide.

In the 70th minute a misplaced pass allowed the industrious McDaid to set up Doona and the wide player curled the ball past Odumosu.

Peter Campbell, again released by Marshall, had another chance to cross from the right but sent the ball wide.

Then a better Campbell pull back led to an attempt by substitute Jamie Doran and, finally, a Doona shot wide.

Doona, who was causing problems on the left every time he had possession, saw a dangerous cross blocked.

Glenavon appealed for a penalty when Johnny Addis held onto Mark Haughey’s shirt from a Keith Ward corner-kick. Boyce waved play on.

Kris Lowe squandered a gilt-edged chance to make the score 3-1 when he shot over from close range after good work by Ryan Corrigan.

Another disappointing result for Glenavon but some encouraging signs in the second half.

GLENAVON: Deane, O’Sullivan, Marshall, Haughey. Carroll, Malone, McDaid, Campbell, Quinn, Doona, O’Connor, SUBS: Byrne (not used), Toure (not used), Snoddy for Malone (45+6 mins), Atherton (not used), McKeown (not used), Ward for O’Connor (64 mins), Doran for Marshall (81 mins).

Yellow Cards: Campbell (56’).

CLIFTONVILLE: Odumosu, Pepper, Stewart, Addis, Newberry, Kearney, R. Curran, Conlon, Gordon, Doherty, Gormley, SUBS: Breen (not used), Ojo for Doherty (89 mins), Leppard for Stewart (73 mins), Lowe for Gordon (73 mins), Piesold for Kearney (half-time), McGuinness (not used), Corrigan for Gormley (83 mins).

Yellow Cards: None.

REFEREE: Evan Boyce.