SHIRT SPONSOR
The Glenavon Academy Under 12s (2001s) are coached by Sid Burns. For the 2012/2013 season the team will play in the NIBFA National League.
CONTACTS
- Sid Burns – 07842994421 - Email Sid
SQUAD
| Player Name | Goals |
| Dylan Stewart (GK) | 0 |
| Ryan Ferris | 0 |
| Conor Molloy | 0 |
| Cameron Beacom-Hurle | 0 |
| Keelan Quigley | 6 |
| Ordhan Connolly | 0 |
| Myles Murray | 0 |
| Max Wilson | 0 |
| Conor Weir | 3 |
| Daire Donnelly | 0 |
| Callum Ferris | 7 |
| Adam Clarke | 0 |
| Josh Lyttle | 0 |
| Jack Carey | 0 |
| Paul Flynn | 0 |
| Alex McDowell | 0 |
All the statistics above include National League and Cup games plus any Friendlies the team have played during the 2012/2013 season.
FIXTURES 2012/2013 NIBFA National League
- View all NIBFA National League Fixtures and Results for Glenavon Academy Under 12s (2001s)
- Friday 31st August 2012 v St Oliver Plunkett (H) (League)
Won 2-0 - View Match Report - Wednesday 5th September 2012 v Linfield (H) (League)
Drew 2-2 - View Match Report - Friday 7th September 2012 v Ridgeway Rovers (A) (League)
Drew 1-1 - View Match Report - Wednesday 12th September 2012 v Warrenpoint (H) (League)
Won 6-0 - View Match Report - Saturday 22nd September 2012 v Glentoran (A) (League)
Drew 0-0 - View Match Report - Saturday 29th September 2012 v Crusaders (H) (League)
Won 5-1 - View Match Report - Friday 12th October 2012 v Cliftonville (H) (League)
Lost 2-0 – View Match Report - Saturday 20th October 2012 v Lisburn Youth (A) (League)
Won 4-2 - View Match Report - Saturday 27th October 2012 v Derry Colts (A) (League)
Won 2-1 - View Match Report - Saturday 3rd November 2012 v Portadown (H) (League)
Lost 2-1 - View Match Report - Saturday 10th November 2012 v Bertie Peacock Youth (H) (League)
Lost 2-1 - View Match Report - Saturday 24th November 2012 v Ridgeway Rovers (H) (League)
Drew 1-1 - Wednesday 28th November 2012 v Dungannon United Youth (H) (League)
Lost 4-1 - Saturday 1st December 2012 v Coleraine Academy (A) (League)
Lost 2-1 - Saturday 8th December 2012 v Foyle Harps (H) (League)
Won 4-0 - Saturday 22nd December 2012 v Linfield (H) (League)
Lost 6-2 - Saturday 5th January 2013 v Ridgeway Rovers (A) (League)
Lost 3-2 - Friday 11th January 2013 v Glentoran (H) (League)
Lost 5-1 - Saturday 26th January 2013 v Portadown (A) (League)
Won 3-2 - Saturday 2nd February 2013 v Coleraine Academy (H) (League)
Drew 2-2 - Saturday 9th February 2013 v Dungannon United (A) (League)
Postponed - Saturday 23rd February 2013 v Derry Colts (H) (League)
Lost 2-1 - Wednesday 13th March 2013 v Dungannon United (A) (League)
- Saturday 16th March 2013 v Foyle Harps (A) (League)
National League Cup
- Saturday 16th February 2013 v Ballinamallard (A) (Round 1)
Won 4-3 - Date TBC v Bertie Peacock Youth (A) (Round 2)
NIBFA Cup
- Saturday 15th December 2012 v Ballymena United (H) (NIBFA Cup Round 1)
Lost 2-1
LEAGUE TABLE 2012/2013
MATCH REPORTS
Match Reports will be posted below for Under 12s games throughout the season. See our latest Match Report below. For older Match Reports just keep scrolling.
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Glenavon Academy Under 12s – 1
Bertie Peacock Youth Under 12s – 2
Lurgan Junior High School 3G, Saturday 10th November 2012
For the second week in succession Glenavon Under-12s paid the price for not coming to life until they faced a two-goal deficit. As was the case against Portadown seven days earlier they left themselves with too much to do, pulling one goal back but running out of time in their search for an equaliser.
The local lads started very sluggishly on Saturday afternoon at Gordon Playing Fields and it was no surprise when they fell behind after seven minutes, the visiting player giving keeper Paul Flynn no chance with a powerful shot into the roof of the net from the right edge of the penalty area.
Glenavon struggled to impose themselves on the match and the Coleraine side continued to look the more threatening. If the Lurgan Blues were up against it at half-time, they had a mountain to climb within a minute of the restart when the visitors cut through the centre of the home defence to double their advantage.
At last Glenavon upped their game and started to ask questions of the opposing back four. And midway through the second half they were awarded a penalty for handball, which Conor Molloy coolly converted into the bottom left corner.
Glenavon at last began to assert themselves, grabbing the initiative in midfield and forcing the visitors onto the back foot. Daire Donnelly and Conor Weir both went close, while Conor Molloy was unlucky from a long range free-kick which the keeper just managed to scramble away for a corner.
The visitors were restricted to breakaways as Glenavon piled the pressure on in the closing stages, but the Lurgan Blues ran out of time. And they will soon have to learn that if they continue to start as slowly as they did in these last two games points will be hard to come by in the National League.
Glenavon Under 12s
Paul Flynn, Ryan Ferris, Cameron Beacom-Hurle, Conor Molloy, Adam Clarke, Max Wilson, James Mahaffy, Danny Magill, Conor Weir, Ordhan Connolly, Callum Ferris, Daire Donnelly, Dylan Stewart.
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Glenavon Academy Under 12s – 1
Portadown Youth Under 12s – 2
Lurgan Junior High School 3G, Saturday 3rd November 2012
Glenavon Under 12s turned in a lacklustre performance as they lost out in their National League Premier Division derby clash. Despite a late rally from the Lurgan Blues, which almost saw them snatch a point, the Ports deserved their success.
The game had been switched from Kernan to Lurgan Junior High and it was Portadown who were first into their stride on the 3G surface, seizing control in midfield to dictate matters. With the visitors posing the greater threat it was no surprise when they took the lead after 20 minutes, reacting quickest to tuck away the rebound after Paul Flynn had made a fine save.
Only a great block by Paul when Portadown broke through one-on-one prevented them from doubling their lead. But there was little the keeper could do a couple of minutes before half-time when a Portadown player cut through too easily from the left to make it 2-0.
The Ports threatened to put the game completely out of Glenavon’s reach early in the second half, but the home side weathered the storm. And when the visiting keeper couldn’t keep out Conor’s Molloy’s long range free-kick ten minutes after the break Glenavon at last had a foothold in the contest.
Spurred on by the goal Glenavon, for the first time in the game, were in the ascendancy and as the match entered its closing stages they threatened an equaliser. Daire Donnelly almost converted a corner before, in added time, Glenavon were awarded an indirect free-kick inside the penalty area.
But the Portadown players quickly closed down the space as the ball was laid off to Callum Ferris and his shot was charged down. Another corner was well defended by the visitors as Glenavon ran out of time, paying the price for only coming to life in the last 20 minutes by which stage they had left themselves with too much to do.
Glenavon Under 12s
Paul Flynn, Ryan Ferris, Cameron Beacom-Hurle, Dylan Stewart, Adam Clarke, Ordhan Connolly, Callum Ferris, Danny Magill, James Mahaffy, Conor Weir, Daire Donnelly, Max Wilson, Conor Molloy.
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Derry Colts Under 12s – 1
Glenavon Academy Under 12s – 2
The Barra, Saturday 27th October 2012
Glenavon Under-12s kicked off their National League Premier Division campaign with an impressive victory in the Maiden City. The local lads made the long journey to St Columb’s College to face Derry Colts, who had won seven out of eight games to qualify for the premier section.
But the two-hour bus trip certainly didn’t do the Lurgan Blues any harm as they turned in one of their best performances of the season. In fact their first half display was as good as anything they have produced as a brace from Conor Weir earned a thoroughly deserved two-goal advantage.
The locals lads settled quickly with incisive passing and movement giving them the edge and it was no surprise when they took an eighth minute lead. Danny Magill’s through ball picked out Conor Weir and his perfectly judged lob beat the advancing keeper to break the deadlock.
With Glenavon continuing to dominate goal number two arrived in the 20th minute and this time Callum Ferris was the creator. Callum found Conor Weir wide on the left and Conor cut inside a defender before unleashing a looping shot from the edge of the penalty area, which the keeper got his hands to but was unable to keep out. At the other end any threat from Derry was snuffed out by the visiting defence as Glenavon went into the half-time break in command. It was a different story, however, after the break as Derry got a lifeline within a minute of the restart, keeper Paul Flynn beaten by a clinical finish after a free-kick from midfield caught out the Glenavon defence.
The goal was all the encouragement the home side needed to lift their game and put Glenavon under pressure. Paul Flynn was called into action to make a great stop, with Ryan Ferris following up to clear the danger.
The best was yet to come from Paul as 12 minutes from time Derry were awarded a penalty for a challenge on the right edge of the penalty area. But Paul was equal to the task, diving full length to his left to turn away the spot-kick for a corner. And he came to the rescue again from the corner when he pulled off a quite stunning stop, again throwing himself to his left to keep out a powerful low shot which he saw late as it came at him through a packed penalty area.
There was still time for Paul to turn away an angled shot from the right edge of the penalty area as Derry continued to press in the closing minutes, with Glenavon digging deep to hold onto their advantage.
But hold on they did for a superb success in which everyone played their part. Goalkeeper Paul Flynn and defenders Ryan Ferris, Cameron Beacom-Hurle, Dylan Stewart, Adam Clarke and Jack Carey stood firm in the face of the second half pressure, while central midfield pairing Callum Ferris and Danny Magill worked tirelessly for the cause. Wingers James Mahaffy and Ordhan Connolly and forwards Daire Donnelly, Conor Weir and Max Wilson put in a great shift, posing the home side plenty of problems.
Glenavon Under 12s
Paul Flynn, Ryan Ferris, Cameron Beacom-Hurle, Dylan Stewart, Adam Clarke, James Mahaffy, Callum Ferris, Danny Magill, Ordhan Connolly, Daire Donnelly, Conor Weir, Max Wilson, Jack Carey.
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Lisburn Youth Under 12s – 2
Glenavon Academy Under 12s – 4
Barbour Playing Fields, Saturday 20th October 2012
Glenavon Under-12s completed their first series of National League fixtures with an exciting victory over Lisburn Youth at Barbour playing fields on Saturday morning. The win secured Glenavon third spot in their section ahead of the league split with the Lurgan Blues now taking their place in the Premier Division.
The locals lads were worthy winners, although Lisburn made them work hard for the points with the result in doubt until the closing stages. Glenavon took a while to get into their stride and found themselves one behind after nine minutes with Dylan Stewart given no chance with a powerful shot from inside the penalty area.
The local lads weren’t at their best in the first half but still managed to draw themselves level on the stroke of half-time when Danny Magill’s low corner from the right evaded everyone to squeeze inside the far post. Having been playing uphill in the first half, that goal was the spur Glenavon needed to up their game after the break.
Both teams continued to pose a threat, with Lisburn off target from a couple of promising positions, but as the second half progressed Glenavon started to pile on the pressure. And midway through the half they were rewarded when a Callum Ferris corner found Conor Molloy and his shot was helped over the line by Conor Weir.
Almost immediately the Lisburn keeper pulled off a stunning double save to deny Conor his second. And Glenavon were made to pay eight minutes from time when, against the run of play, a low shot squeezed just inside the right post to make it 2-2. To their credit the local lads quickly set about regaining the initiative with Callum Ferris just off target with a powerful header from a corner.
Five minutes from the end Glenavon did retake the lead when Conor Weir burst into space on the right and crossed for Max Wilson to clinically volley home at the back post. Within a minute Max had turned provider, his corner finding Callum Ferris who again showed his aerial prowess to make it 4-2.
Callum was denied a fifth by a combination of the keeper and woodwork in the dying minutes as Glenavon finished strongly. Overall a deserved win for the Lurgan Blues and it was pleasing to see new boys James Mahaffy and Danny Magill, who started the game as the central midfield pairing, continue to fit in so well with their new teammates.
Glenavon Under 12s
Dylan Stewart, Ryan Ferris, Cameron Beacom-Hurle, Conor Molloy, Adam Clarke, Ordhan Connolly, James Mahaffy, Danny Magill, Conor Weir, Daire Donnelly, Callum Ferris, Max Wilson, Alex McDowell.
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Cliftonville Under 12s – 2
Glenavon Academy Under 12s – 0
The Dub 3G, Friday 5th October 2012
Glenavon Under-12s crashed to their first defeat of the National League campaign when they turned in a disappointing display under the floodlights at the Dub on Friday night. The local lads were well below par but still enjoyed more than enough of the play to have come away with a result.
But they lacked the fluency of previous outings and struggled to create chances against a determined Cliftonville outfit. Clear-cut opportunities were few and far between in a first half during which Glenavon had the edge in terms of possession. The hard-working Daire Donnelly was denied by the advancing keeper’s block when he broke through on the edge of the penalty area, while Callum Ferris was unlucky when a lofted effort just cleared the crossbar.
At half-time Glenavon looked the more likely winners, particularly if they were able to up their game. But the opposite happened and straight from the restart some poor defensive play allowed Cliftonville to break through for a soft opening goal. The goal spurred Glenavon into a response with Ordhan Connolly just off target, Conor Weir forcing a fine save low to the keeper’s left and Callum Ferris seeing his shot strike the outside of the post.
However, most of these efforts were from long range as Glenavon struggled to get in behind the Cliftonville defence. And ten minutes from time the local lads paid the price when the Reds, on a rare venture into the Glenavon half, doubled their advantage from a long range free-kick which deceived Dylan Stewart.
The Cliftonville goal then somehow survived an almighty scramble in the dying minutes and when Conor Weir’s long range shot went wide it was clear it wasn’t going to be Glenavon’s night. One bright spot from the evening was the debut of Danny Magill, who has signed from Warrenpoint, and on this performance he will be a valuable addition to the squad.
Glenavon Under 12s v Cliftonville
Dylan Stewart, Adam Clarke, Cameron Beacom-Hurle, Conor Molloy, Danny Magill, James Mahaffy, Myles Murray, Keelan Quigley, Ordhan Connolly, Conor Weir, Callum Ferris, Daire Donnelly, Max Wilson, Josh Lyttle.
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Glenavon Academy Under 12s – 5
Crusaders Under 12s – 1
Lurgan Junior High School 3G, Saturday 29th September 2012
Glenavon Under-12s made it six games unbeaten in the National League as a four-goal salvo from Callum Ferris eased the locals to a convincing victory. The writing was on the wall for the Crues from the very first minute of Saturday morning’s clash at Lurgan Junior High School when Glenavon made the breakthrough.
Some good work by Daire Donnelly earned the Lurgan Blues a penalty and the spot-kick from Callum Ferris was too powerful for the visiting keeper who got a hand to the ball but couldn’t keep it out. Myles Murray was unlucky when his clipped shot from an angle struck the woodwork but Glenavon didn’t have too long to wait to double their advantage.
Goal number two arrived after ten minutes with Daire Donnelly again the architect, some great work on the right flank culminating in an inch-perfect cross for Callum to rise highest at the near post and head home. Glenavon continued to dominate possession but had to be on their toes in defence as Crues broke quickly when the opportunity arose.
Glenavon withstood well the physical nature of the visitors’ play and went in at half-time in the ascendancy. And a third goal arrived ten minutes into the second half when Keelan Quigley struck a fantastic free-kick from wide on the right which soared over the keeper and into the net. That should have been game over but Crues were handed a lifeline five minutes later when some sloppy defending gave them a penalty, which was well placed just inside Dylan Stewart’s right post.
James Mahaffy went close to restoring Glenavon’s three-goal advantage before Callum Ferris did make it 4-1 eight minutes from time. Callum completed an excellent hat-trick when some great footwork close to the byline created an opening allowing him to beat the keeper from a narrow angle.
And Callum was still not finished because he added his fourth and Glenavon’s fifth when he again showed his aerial prowess in the dying minutes to head home.
Glenavon Under 12s v Crusaders
Dylan Stewart, Ryan Ferris, Cameron Beacom-Hurle, Conor Molloy, Adam Clarke, Max Wilson, Myles Murray, Keelan Quigley, Ordhan Connolly, Daire Donnelly, Callum Ferris, James Mahaffy, Josh Lyttle, Jack Carey, Alex McDowell, Paul Flynn.
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Glentoran Under 12s – 0
Glenavon Academy Under 12s – 0
Mallusk Playing Fields, Saturday 22nd September 2012
The competitive nature of the National League was again highlighted as Glenavon Under 12s maintained their unbeaten start to the season. A draw was a fair outcome at Mallusk as both teams enjoyed spells in the ascendancy without making the breakthrough. A combination of stout defending, exceptional goalkeeping and sheer bad luck, with the woodwork coming to the rescue of both teams, contributed to the scoreless draw – but despite the lack of goals the game was still enthralling from start to finish.
After a slow start Glenavon started to look the more threatening and Conor Weir was just off target, while the local lads will be disappointed not to have made more of a series of corners superbly delivered by Myles Murray. A long range effort by Ordhan Connolly was brilliantly kept out by the Glentoran keeper as Glenavon came closest to opening the scoring. Keelan Quigley shot just wide, while at the other end Glentoran kept the local defence on their toes with some incisive passing and caused a lot of problems down the flanks.
The game was wide open as Glenavon introduced new signing James Mahaffy on the right wing at half-time. And James can be happy with his first contribution for the team as he was one of Glenavon’s biggest attacking threats after the break. Midway through the half it was becoming clear it just wasn’t going to be Glenavon’s day with another powerfully struck long range shot from Ordhan Connolly striking the crossbar.
As the game entered its closing stages Glentoran were enjoying their best spell and Dylan Stewart was called on to make an outstanding save when a piledriver from wide on the right looked for all the world like it was heading for the top corner. The woodwork came to Glenavon’s rescue in the dying minutes, while a last gasp retaken free-kick and corner came to nothing for the home side.
However, a late Glentoran winner would have been harsh on Glenavon who played their part in an entertaining contest between two committed and talented teams, both of whom will expect to be in the top division when the league splits.
Glenavon Under 12s v Glentoran
Dylan Stewart, Josh Lyttle, Cameron Beacom-Hurle, Conor Molloy, Adam Clarke, Ordhan Connolly, Myles Murray, Keelan Quigley, Max Wilson, Callum Ferris, Conor Weir, Daire Donnelly, James Mahaffy, Alex McDowell.
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Glenavon Academy Under 12s – 6
Warrenpoint Under 12s – 0
Lurgan Junior High School 3G, Wednesday 12th September 2012
This six-goal thumping of Warrenpoint maintained a fine start to the National League season by Glenavon Under 12s.The local lads were well worth their convincing victory on the 3G at Lurgan Junior High on Wednesday night – earned thanks to a second half hat-trick by Keelan Quigley, a Callum Ferris double and another from Conor Weir.
Warrenpoint have struggled to date this season and Glenavon went into the match fully expecting the three points. But they still had to work hard to break the visitors’ resistance with the breakthrough coming midway through the first half courtesy of Callum Ferris, who bravely outjumped the keeper to head home following a long ball down the middle.
Three minutes later it was 2-0 with good work by Callum creating space on the left for Conor Weir, whose angled drive from outside the box was just too high for the keeper.
Glenavon had to work hard for their chances against a committed Warrenpoint team, who didn’t give up but struggled to put any pressure on at the other end and never looked like getting back into the contest. Not surprisingly as the game wore on more space started to open up for Glenavon and Conor Weir was off target when he broke clear down the left early in the second half. More goals were not long in coming, however, and Callum Ferris made it 3-0 ten minutes after the break with a clever lofted finish after an incisive pass from Myles Murray.
It then became the Keelan Quigley show as he helped himself to the next three goals. Conor Weir and Callum Ferris combined to set up Keelan for his first and he added another with a close range finish as Warrenpoint visibly tired.Keelan left his best goal to last, completing his hat-trick and making it 6-0 when he surged through on the right and gave the keeper no chance with a powerful drive.
It was all one-way traffic in the second half with all Glenavon’s squad playing their part in the victory, including Jack Carey, Alex McDowell and Paul Flynn who were introduced to the action after the break. There will be much tougher tests ahead, but so far the signs are encouraging from this young Glenavon team.
Glenavon Under 12s v Warrenpoint
Dylan Stewart, Ryan Ferris, Cameron Beacom-Hurle, Conor Molloy, Adam Clarke, Ordhan Connolly, Myles Murray, Max Wilson, Keelan Quigley, Daire Donnelly, Conor Weir, Callum Ferris, Josh Lyttle, Jack Carey, Alex McDowell, Paul Flynn.
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Ridgeway Rovers Under 12s – 1
Glenavon Academy Under 12s – 1
The Dub 3G, Friday 7th September 2012, KO 7.45pm
Friday night’s draw at the Dub means Glenavon under-12s have come through a tough opening three games of the season unbeaten. The local lads never reached the levels of the previous encounters with St Oliver Plunkett and Linfield and a draw was a fair enough outcome. There was little to choose between the teams and both will be confident of making the top division of the National League when the sections split.
Ridgeway threatened early on, but it was Glenavon who made the breakthrough after seven minutes when Conor Weir latched onto a through ball from Myles Murray. Conor held off the Ridgeway defender and did well to stay on his feet and coolly lob the advancing keeper when he could easily have gone down under the challenge for a penalty.
Disappointingly for Glenavon they held their lead for only a minute, allowing Ridgeway a preventable equaliser from a long range free-kick. The game then developed into a battle for supremacy with both sides getting into some dangerous areas in the final third without making it count.
The pattern continued into the second half with both teams enjoying spells in the ascendancy without ever seriously threatening to break the deadlock. Glenavon seemed to be feeling the effects of their game against Linfield two nights earlier, while at times the players struggled to get the ball under control on the bouncy 3G surface.
Callum Ferris was off target with an effort for Glenavon, while some poor decision making meant they were unable to make the most of some promising positions. At the other end Ridgeway were asking a few questions of the Glenavon defence but again clear-cut opportunities were few and far between.
There was, however, almost time for a sting in the tail four minutes from the end when Ridgeway broke down the right. The resulting cross evaded the Glenavon defence but the incoming Ridgeway player struck his effort against the post when it appeared easier to hit the net. While not at their best, it would have been harsh on Glenavon had they lost the match so late on and a draw was probably a satisfactory outcome for both teams.
Glenavon Under 12s v Ridgeway Rovers
Dylan Stewart, Josh Lyttle, Cameron Beacom-Hurle, Conor Molloy, Adam Clarke, Max Wilson, Myles Murray, Keelan Quigley, Conor Weir, Ordhan Connolly, Callum Ferris, Ryan Ferris, Daire Donnelly, Jack Carey, Alex McDowell.
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Glenavon Academy Under 12s – 2
Linfield Under 12s – 2
Gordon Playing Fields, Wednesday 5th September 2012, KO 6.45pm
A last gasp free-kick from Keelan Quigley, his second goal of the game, earned Glenavon’s under-12s a share of the spoils against Linfield at Gordon Playing Fields on Wednesday. And the draw was the least the local lads deserved after a spirited recovery from an early two-goal deficit in which all boys played their part.
The only thing you could fault this Glenavon team for this season has been their tendency to start games slowly. And so it was once again as they found themselves two down inside the opening five minutes as Linfield started off like a team which will be right in the shake-up when the honours are handed out.
They netted the first from a poorly defended corner after only two minutes and before Glenavon could recover it was 2-0 thanks to a long range thunderbolt from the left which nestled in the far corner. It was crucial to Glenavon’s chances that they quickly gained a foothold in the game and they responded in perfect fashion when they pulled one back on ten minutes. The goal came via a free-kick awarded wide on the right which was swung in by Conor Molloy and converted from close range by Keelan Quigley.
This lifted Glenavon spirits and for the remainder of the half there was little to choose between the teams as both defences made sure clear-cut chances were hard to come by. After the break Glenavon gradually gained the upper hand and enjoyed the territorial advantage for much of the second half. However, Linfield remained dangerous and the local lads needed to remain alert as a third goal would have killed off the game.
But Glenavon were having the better of it with Myles Murray and Keelan Quigley winning the battle in the centre of midfield and Ordhan Connolly getting some joy against the Linfield defence with his jinking runs. Glenavon won a series of set-pieces in the second half and there were some great deliveries into the penalty area which they were unlucky not to get some joy from. Just when it looked like their luck would be out, with the game entering injury time.
Glenavon won another free-kick wide on the right. It was the perfect position for a left-footed player to swing the ball in and Keelan Quigley duly obliged with a sweet strike which soared over the head of the keeper and nestled in the back of the net.
There was barely time to restart the match and Glenavon’s tireless display had been rewarded with a point – and it could have even better had they not left themselves with a mountain to climb so early in a game which was a great advert for the National League.
Glenavon Under 12s v Linfield
Dylan Stewart, Ryan Ferris, Cameron Beacom-Hurle, Conor Molloy, Adam Clarke, Ordhan Connolly, Myles Murray, Keelan Quigley, Max Wilson, Callum Ferris, Conor Weir, Daire Donnelly, Josh Lyttle, Jack Carey, Alex McDowell.
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Glenavon Academy Under 12s – 2
St Oliver Plunkett Under 12s – 0
Lurgan Junior High School 3G, Friday 31st August 2012, KO 7pm
Glenavon Under 12s earned a hard fought but ultimately deserved win in their first National League fixture on Friday night.
This was a tough test for the local lads against a physically strong side who passed the ball well on the big 3G pitch at Lurgan Junior High. But Glenavon were equally committed and grew stronger as the game wore on with all players putting in an excellent effort to secure the three points.
The visitors were the more composed side in the early exchanges with Glenavon struggling to come to terms with the higher quality of opposition they will face in the National League.
But gradually the boys grew in confidence, gaining a foothold in the game, and they were rewarded midway through the first half when a Cameron Beacom-Hurle free-kick allowed Conor Weir to get in behind the defence on the left.
The keeper got a hand to Conor’s low shot at his near post but couldn’t prevent it heading goalwards, where a retreating defender could only help it over the line. Conor was denied by some brave goalkeeping when he broke through shortly afterwards, while Myles Murray tested the keeper from a free-kick on the left edge of the box.
At the other end Plunkett were playing some impressive football although Glenavon were keeping them at arm’s length with some exceptional defensive work from Adam Clarke, Conor Molloy, Cameron Beacom-Hurle, Ryan Ferris and Josh Lyttle. And goalkeeper Dylan Stewart’s safe handling and reading of the game ensured he was there to mop up the danger when called upon. After the break free-kicks at either end tested the keepers, while the visitors had a penalty appeal turned down.
A Plunkett attack down the right ended with a shot which flashed across goal and wide, but as the game wore on Glenavon snuffed out their threat with some tireless work from central midfielders Myles Murray and Keelan Quigley and wide men Ordhan Connolly and Max Wilson. In attack Glenavon were close to breaking through on a number of occasions as Callum Ferris, Daire Donnelly and Conor Weir kept the Plunkett defence on their toes.
And the late reintroduction of Callum Ferris proved pivotal as he combined down the right with Ordhan Connolly before Callum was taken down as he bore in on goal. Callum took the responsibility from the spot and clinically found the bottom left corner to secure the points with only four minutes remaining.
Overall this was a hugely encouraging all-round performance from Glenavon who grew in confidence as the game progressed with all the boys coming out of the game with great credit.
Glenavon Under 12s v St Oliver Plunkett
Dylan Stewart, Ryan Ferris, Conor Molloy, Cameron Beacom-Hurle, Keelan Quigley, Ordhan Connolly, Myles Murray, Max Wilson, Conor Weir, Daire Donnelly, Callum Ferris, Adam Clarke, Josh Lyttle, Jack Carey, Paul Flynn, Alex McDowell.
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