Good to see James Singleton back in action after a year out. Pic by Maynard Collins.

Eoin Bradley scores his second goal against Ballymena. Pic by Maynard Collins.

Mark Sykes and Paddy McCourt celebrate with Eoin Bradley after his opening goal. Pic by Maynard Collins.

Crisis? What crisis?
Glenavon bounced back from a disappointing 0-0 draw with Carrick Rangers to thrash the league’s in-form side, Ballymena United, at Mourneview Park.

Boss Gary Hamilton made a number of changes to his starting line-up, with James Singleton making his first start of the season, while up top Kevin Braniff was dropped, with Paddy McCourt playing behind Eoin Bradley who was the lone frontman.

The game got off to a feisty start when Eoin Bradley had a clash with Ballymena’s Caolan Loughran. Loughran ended up on the floor – referee Raymond Crangle didn’t see it and waved play on.

Bradley was to go on and score the opener on seven minutes after he had been brought down by Kyle Owens on the edge of the box, the defender earning a booking for his troubles. Bradley stepped up and curled a wonderful free kick into net.

Glenavon’s lead was doubled on 21 minutes, Bradley turning provider as he crossed for Ciaran Martyn, who stooped low to head home.

Rhys Marshall came to the rescue to deny the Sky Blues when he blocked a Johnny McMurray shot a few minutes later; the striker’s follow-up going off target.

Glenavon bagged their third just before the half-hour mark as Jim Ervin turned in an Andy Hall cross.

Again Ballymena could have pulled a goal back through Cathair Friel just before the break, but Jonny Tuffey denied the striker.

Substitute Conor McCloskey had the first chance of the second half, missing the target on 51 minutes, before Willie Faulkner hit the post on 63 minutes.

Bradley spotted Ben McAuley off his line a short while later and attempted to lob the goalkeeper, but his audacious effort went over the bar.

A perfect pass by Paddy McCourt set up Bradley for his second and Glenavon’s fourth, the strike bearing down on goal before firing past the goalkeeper.

The returning Greg Moorhouse came off the bench to round off the scoring, running clear of the defence to power the ball past the goalkeeper.

Glenavon: Tuffey, Kelly, Lindsay, Marshall, Cooper, Bradley, Hall, Sykes, McCourt, Martyn, Singleton. Subs: Kilmartin, Patton, McGrory, Moorhouse, Braniff.

Ballymena United: McAuley, Kane, Owens, Thompson, Jenkins, Faulkner, Friel, Wallace, Ervin, McMurray, Loughran. Subs: Flynn, Gage, McCloskey. E.Kane, Lowry.

Referee: R Crangle.