All the Official News from Mourneview Park
Glenavon’s Triangle Supporters’ Club has recently launched its own website which will be providing up to date news and information for members of the Lurgan-based Club which was founded in 1949.
If any other Official Glenavon Supporters’ Clubs have developed their own websites please drop the webmaster an email with the site’s address and it can be addd to the links on the right.
Glenavon 4-1 Portadown
Tony Grant heads towards goal
Glenavon ran out comfortable 4-1 winners over Mid-Ulster neighbours Portadown in what will probably be the only game between the sides this season as Ronnie McFall’s side face at least a season in the IFA Championship.
In a first half dominated by Glenavon Trevor Molloy went close on several occasions, with Mark Gracey’s 4th minute goal line clearance denying him the opener. That opener eventually arrived in the 18th minute when Willo McDonagh was on hand to nod in the rebound after Miskelly had made a terrific save to push out Tony Grant’s initial header from Niall Hudson’s free kick.
Molloy wasted a great chance to double the lead ten minutes later when he ran onto Hudson’s headed clearance but he fired wide from inside the box. Former Linfield player Tim Mouncey had Portadown’s best effort of the first half when he forced a great save from Robert Robinson that saw the ex-Newry keeper push his shot onto the post.
Grant, who seemed as fresh as the day he last played at Mourneview Park, grabbed a well-deserved second for Glenavon in first half stoppage time after a great surge through the middle by McDonagh allowed the former Glentoran midfielder to play him in with a well-placed pass.
Portadown came out in the second half with more purpose and pulled a goal back through Richard Leckey in the 58th minute. There was an element of luck to the goal as Leckey’s shot took a deflection that wrong-footed sub keeper Tuda Murphy and, though he managed to get something on the ball, it still trickled over the line.
McDonagh almost doubled his tally with a header that crashed back off the Portadown bar with Hugh Dickson volleying the rebound just over. Sproule then had a chance to pull the Ports level when he was played in by Leckey’s flick on but he hit his shot straight at Murphy.
If there was an element of good fortune about Portadown’s goal, Glenavon’s third goal was all down to skill as Molloy curled a brilliant shot from wide on the left into the top corner, leaving Miskelly grasping at thin air as he made a desparing dive to his left.
Eamonn Murray slotted home the fourth goal as he latched onto a loose ball in the box after Ryan Blainey chipped the ball back into the mix when Gerard McMahon’s initial cross had looked to be too deep.
Glenavon: Robinson (Murphy 46), Hudson, Carville (Blainey 78), Magee, Dickson, McDonagh (Murray 76), Harper (McMahon 76), Walsh, Grant (Liggett 57), Molloy (Tucker McCann 78), Tim McCann (Turkington 74)
Portadown: Miskelly, Coleman (McEnerny 58), O’Hara, Gracey (McKee 58), Convery, McCullough, Boyle, Mouncey (G. Topley 79), Leckey, Braniff (Baker 74), Sproule (Taggart 74)
The numbers drawn in last night’s lottery were:
4, 8, 19, 21
There was no jackpot winner but 6 players matched 3 numbers. The jackpot for next week’s draw on Monday 4th August is £5600.
The club shop will be open at tonight’s (Tuesday’s) game with Portadown.
The new home and away Glenavon top, along with tracksuits, coats, ties and even mugs and pens will be on offer so be sure to go along and get decked out in the latest gear.
The Glenavon Club Shop will be open for business tonight (Tuesday).
Tuesday’s game will provide a stern test for Alan Fraser (left) and Stevie McBride’s Glenavon side.
It might be billed as a pre-season friendly but pride will surely be at stake when Glenavon take on Mid-Ulster rivals Portadown on Tuesday evening at Mourneview Park (kick off 7.45pm)
Ronnie McFall’s side are still smarting from the last time the two sides met, Stevie McCain’s goal handing the Lurgan Blues a famous 1-0 win over their neighbours in their own back yard.
And despite the fact that Portadown will be playing Intermediate football this season McFall has managed to strengthen his side, bringing in Linfield’s Tim Mouncey and Crusaders defender Andy Hunter.
It promises to be a great game of football and a tough test for Stevie McBride and Alan Fraser’s troops. Admission for the game is £6 for adults and £3 for concessions.
