Blues fail to make it three wins in a row

GLENAVON failed to make it three Carling Premiership victories in a row on Tuesday night when they were defeated 2-1 at Mourneview Park by then bottom-placed Institute.

The home side failed to have any real impact on the first-half and John Gregg’s men duly took advantage and went in coasting at 2-0 at half-time. Glenavon boss, Marty Quinn then gave his side a brief but stern talking to on the pitch before marching them into the changing room to continue his team-talk.

However, despite a slight improvement in performance in the second period and a Trevor Molloy goal, Quinn’s side couldn’t take anything from the game and so ended their brief upturn in form.

Glenavon had won the past two league matches against Institute and Linfield, both away from home, and Quinn started with almost the same side that had triumphed at Windsor Park two weeks ago, except for in the inclusions of Hugh Davey and James Costello at the expense of the unfortunate Paul Carvill and Gary Liggett.

However with a slow start it soon became evident that the Blues were unlikely to pull off another victory and in the opening half scarcely looked capable or even willing to trouble the ‘Stute defence. James Costello did fire well wide of goal from 20 yards out on seven minutes after Trevor Molloy had seen a shot from even further out saved but after that, Institute really took the initiative.

Tony Shields played Ryan Semple in on goal after Mark Haughey missed his interception but Andrew Plummer came to the rescue, saving well from the one-on-one. But seconds later, the goalkeeper was picking the ball out of his net.

Plummer rolled the ball out towards Hugh Davey who didn’t look ready and he lost possession to Semple who this time made no mistake, slotting past the goalkeeper to open the scoring.

On 17 minutes, Semple was again harassing Davey and skipped past the off colour full-back before cutting the ball back to Declan Divin who shot wide of goal when he should really have worked the goalkeeper. Stute were again celebrating a minute later though as David Ogilby doubled the scoring. Paddy McLaughlin headed Sean Friars’ cross down onto the post and Ogibly was on hand to tap it over the line, much to the displeasure of the disgruntled home support.

It could even have been three shortly after but Andy Plummer pulled off a great save from Joe McCready’s low shot after the striker was played in by Declan Divin.

McCready then fired a 25 yard half-volley over the bar before Ryan Harpur and Rory Hamill also missed the target from long rang at the other end.

Glenavon began to at least gain some more possession but couldn’t find their way to goal. On 42 minutes, Stuart King’s ball forward found James Costello free on the right side of the box and his vicious effort was nicked just wide of goal off the inside of Institute keeper Gavin Cullen’s thigh.

Seconds later, Cullen was again forced into action and he did well to tip Hugh Davey’s dipping effort over the bar.

After Marty Quinn gave his players a talking to at the break, the second half took some time to spring into action and it wasn’t until the Blues went with three at the back with Eamon Murray coming on for Hugh Davey just shy of the hour mark that they looked capable of threatening Institute’s defence.

On 59 minutes though, James Costello really should have scored when Trevor Molloy’s stinging effort was well saved only for the striker to miss-kick his volley when the ball fell to him in front of goal.

Gary Liggett then came on to join Costello in Glenavon’s attack with Barry Johnston going off having sustained what looked a serious leg injury.

At the other end, Sean Friars really should have made it 3-0 when Ryan Semple’s cross found the striker unmarked in front of goal but his downward header was brilliantly saved by Andrew Plummer.

Glenavon then showed that they too could miss a gilt-edged chance when Willo McDonagh fired over from six yards out. Stuart King’s cross eventually found its way to Mark Haughey at the back post from where he headed off the bar before McDonagh smacked the rebound over the bar.

Talented full-back Brendan Shannon then teed up Rory Hamill but the striker scuffed his shot. However, on 80 minutes Glenavon did find their way to goal. Gary Liggett squared the ball to winger Trevor Molloy who fired in a 25-yard effort that skipped up off the turf and into the side of the net off the unfortunate Institute keeper Gavin Cullen.

Glenavon then tried to push for the winner but it wasn’t to be. Molloy first smacked a 20-yard curler high and wide of goal before Gary Liggett missed the target and James Costello fired over when well placed just inside the box.

Institute could even have got a third when substitute Paul Lowry was sent through but his first effort was well saved before he fired the rebound high and wide of goal. The away side weren’t too upset though and claimed a vital three points that lifted them off the foot of the Carling Premiership table whilst Glenavon were left to reflect on the latest below-par performance in a frustrating season.

GLENAVON: Plummer, Davey (Murray 61), McDonagh, Haughey, Shannon, Molloy, Harpur, Johnston (Liggett 65), King (Carvill 77), Costello, Hamill

Unused subs: Campbell, Gracey

INSTITUTE: Cullen, Crown, McLaughlin, Holmes, Ogilby, Shields, Semple, Boyle, Friars, McCready (Lowry 79), Divin.

Unused subs: McClements, Blackburn, Ryan.