Glenavon dominated the first half of this Carling Premiership Mid-Ulster derby but failed to take a number of very good chances, most falling to Rory Hamill. Inevitably the Lurgan Blues paid the penalty for these missed chances when Ports defender Andy Hunter headed in what proved to be the winner from a 69th minute corner by Gary McCutcheon.
Marty’s View (Audio)
Rory Hamill had several good chances in the first half but failed to hit the target. Photo by Stephen Greenaway
Glenavon looked determined as they forced the pace and created some decent early chances. In the 5th minute Miskelly made a great save at his near post as he palmed away Walsh’s turn and shot after he was picked out by Molloy’s cross from the left. Five minute later it was almost an own goal as Kelly slid in at the near post to divert another Molloy low cross just wide of his own net with Grant also sliding in looking for a decisive touch. Less than a minute after that Hamill drilled a low shot just wide but he should have scored as no-one seemed to deal with yet another testing cross from Molloy and the ball somehow arrived at the striker’s feet level with the penalty spot.
Glenavon skipper Conor Walsh battles for the ball. Photo by Stephen Greenaway
In the 14th minute McCutcheon played a neat through ball to Teggart and Haughey did well to get back and block his shot, the Glenavon youngster also blocking Teggart’s second attempt at the expense of a corner
Another dangerous cross from Molloy in the 27th minute fell to Hamill but his toe-poked effort from 12 yards was deflected for a corner. Three minutes later Plummer flapped at Redman’s cross but Topley’s 14 yard volley flew over the bar.
Trevor Molloy gave Sean Mackle a tough time in the first half. Photo by Alan Weir.
In the 33rd minute a careless pass played across the front of the Portadown penalty area was chested down by Hamill but he dragged a shot 6 yards wide from the right corner of the box when he had time and space to do better.
On the stroke of half time Johnston lost the ball in midfield and Portadown broke quickly with McCutcheon’s 25 yard shot proving too hot to handle for Plummer but he recovered in time to gather the loose ball and in first half stoppage time the Glenavon keeper Plummer made a great save as he raced off his line to block Baker’s low effort as he ran onto a ball into the box.
The first chance of the second half again fell to Hamill but he again dragged it wide after good play by Molloy, McDonagh and Grant to set up a shooting chance.
In the 56th McDonagh headed on Molloy’s cross and it fell once again to Hamill. He was forced to turn wide but at last he forced Miskelly into a save as the Ports keeper diverted the low shot for a corner.
Just after the hour mark Portadown created a good chance when Haughey stumbled and Baker was able to play McCutcheon in but he shot straight at Plummer from 20 yards.
In the 65th minute Portadown players were claiming for a penalty for hand ball after Baker’s cross was blocked by Dickson but neither the referee or his assistant indicated they had seen anything.
Five minutes later Topley’s cross was glanced toward the top corner by Baker but Plummer made a great save to claw the ball away however Hunter headed in at the far post from the resulting corner taken by McCutcheon.
Andrew Plummer makes a great save from Jordan Baker's header but Portadown scored from the resulting corner. Photo by Alan Weir.
Costello replaced Hamill in the 71st minute and he was soon into the action, skipping past Redman before Kelly handled his attempted cross near the right edge of the Portadown box and McDonagh headed Molloy’s free kick onto the post with Miskelly lucky that the rebound, which hit him as he made a despairing dive, did not go back into the net but instead ran away from the danger area.
Plummer made a great save as he touched Ports sub Morrison’s low 20 yards drive onto the post and the Glenavon keeper was relieved to gather the rebound.
Stuart King curled this 82nd minute shot just wide. Photo by Stephen Greenaway.
With ten minutes remaining Marty Quinn went for broke, throwing on King and Murray for Grant and Haughey and going to a 3-5-2 formation. Glenavon put the visitors under pressure with King going close as he cut in onto his right foot and hit a curler from 16 yards that just missed the far post by inches. Thr former Ballymena winger’s cross in the 89th minute was played back into the middle of the box by Murray but Johnston’s 12 yard shot lacked the power to trouble Miskelly and the Portadown ‘keeper gathered easily.
Teams:
Glenavon: Plummer, Magee, Dickson, Walsh, Grant (King 80), Molloy, McDonagh, Gracey, Haughey (Murray 80), Hamill (Costello 71), Johnston. Subs not used: Campbell, Carvill.
Portadown: Miskelly, Redman, Clarke, Kelly, Braniff, Teggart (Morrison 59), McCutcheon, Baker, Hunter, Topley, Mackle. Subs not used: Armstrong (GK), McCluskey, McCullough, Haire.
Referee: Arnold Hunter
Our Sponsors
Representatives of Avondale Foods (Craigavon) Ltd. who sponsored the Match are pictured with Glenavon Commercial Director Ian Irwin and his daughter Olivia. Photo by Stephen Greenaway.
Philip Harrison of Craigavon Koi and Aquatics who sponsored the ball is pictured with Ian Irwin. Also featured are Philip's son Matthew and Ian's daughter Olivia. Photo by Stephen Greenaway.
Daniel Hume presented the Glenavon 'Man of the Match' award to Conor Walsh on behalf of the sponsor Ian Harper. Photo by Stephen Greenaway.
It’s the long-awaited ‘Boxing Day’ derby match, just a couple of months late! Both sets of fans, players and Club officials are keeping fingers crossed that the weather holds up and Friday night’s Mid-Ulster derby goes ahead at Mourneview Park, kick-off 7:45pm.
