GLENAVON SHOCKS CRUSADERS AT SEAVIEW
Crusaders 0 Glenavon 1
Sports Direct Irish Premiership
Seaview, Belfast
Saturday 14th September 2024
A fine goal by Michael O’Connor (18 mins) and 90 minutes’ disciplined defending enabled Glenavon to defeat Crusaders at Seaview and move to within two points of the Top Six in the Sports Direct Irish Premiership table.
The Crues, previously unbeaten, dominated possession but were unable to create many clear-cut scoring opportunities. The Lurgan men, again severely weakened by injuries, were diligent and well organised and occasionally threatened in breakaways.
The home side started the match on the front foot. Lewis Barr headed over from Jarlath O’Rourke’s free kick and Jordan Forsythe shot narrowly wide.
At the other end Keith Ward worked the ball into the penalty area. When his low cross broke to Peter Campbell, Jonathan Tuffey was forced to move smartly to save the Richhill man’s shot.
James Doona’s weak attempt from 20 yards was easily gathered.
When Jordan Forsythe’s misdirected header dropped to Campbell near the centre circle, he cleverly hooked it forward. Michael O’Connor, anticipating the pass, burst into space, controlled the ball and, from 19 yards out, shot past Tuffey.
O’Connor, encouraged by the goal, almost made it 2-0 when he skilfully turned Forsythe and shot narrowly wide from 20 yards.
Crusaders regained the upper hand but, despite having a monopoly of possession, rarely threatened.
Just before the break Lewis Barr let fly with his left foot from 25 yards but Gareth Deane dived full length to fingertip the ball away.
The home side introduced Henry Jewitt-White and Ross Clarke at the start of the second half.
The experienced Clarke was involved in many attacking moves.
In the 50th minute Jordan Stewart crossed from the left and Crues’ skipper Philip Lowry headed inches wide from 6 yards.
Barney McKeown made an important headed clearance from O’Rourke’s shot. From the resultant corner-kick, Len O’Sullivan kicked a near post flick off the line and Peter Campbell blocked Forsythe’s follow-up attempt with his body.
Midway through the second half Glenavon squandered a promising opening. Campbell and O’Connor combined well but Doona was flagged offside. If he had timed his run better, he would have had a clear run on goal.
Moments later Doona broke on the left and cut inside but shot against a defender’s legs. Substitute David McDaid, who had replaced the impressive Keith Ward, waved his arms in frustration. He was disappointed not to have received a pass.
Jordan Stewart shot wide with his right foot and O’Rourke blasted over at the far post with his left after a header across goal by Daniel Larmour.
Gareth Deane moved quickly to tip Clarke’s dangerous cross over the crossbar. He again reacted sharply to catch Forsythe’s header from the resultant corner-kick.
In the 77th minute McDaid squandered a gilt-edged chance to extend Glenavon’s lead when he pounced on a mistake by Robbie Weir and burst into the penalty-area. However, his right foot attempt lacked conviction and Tuffey made a save.
Weir shot well wide and James Teelan’s weak effort was gathered by Deane.
The introduction of veteran striker Jordan Owens led Crusaders to launch high balls into the Glenavon penalty-area. Nonetheless central defenders Carroll and McKeown stood firm and time after time won clean headers.
In the closing minutes the home side, becoming more and more frustrated, picked up some bookings.
Glenavon held on to record an important victory.
CRUSADERS: Tuffey, Weir, O’Rourke, Barr, Larmour, Blaney, Lowry, Stewart, Forsythe, Offord, Franklin, SUBS: Kerr (not used), Jewitt-White for Barr (half-time), Teelan for Lowry (57 mins), Owens for Stewart (77 mins), Vance (not used), Clarke for Franklin (half-time), Nixon for Offord (87 mins).
Yellow Cards: Barr (28’), Forsythe (48’), Lowry (56’), Weir (90+3’), Jewitt-White (90+5’).
GLENAVON: Deane, Toure, O’Sullivan, McKeown, Carroll, Snoddy, Ward, Malone, O’Connor, Campbell, Doona, SUBS: Byrne (not used), McDaid for Ward (56 mins), McGovern for O’Connor (80 mins), Brady (not used), Hamilton (not used), Wilson for Doona (77 mins), McGerrigan (not used).
Yellow Cards: Toure (72’), Campbell (90+6’).
REFEREE: Evan Boyce.
