Blues lose again as slump contines

GLENAVON 0 DONEGAL CELTIC 1

FORMER Glenavon target Ryan Henderson netted at Mourneview Park on Saturday to give his Donegal Celtic side a 1-0 victory.

The Blues slumped to a fourth defeat in five Carling Premiership matches as their disappointing start to the season continued.

Again Glenavon had most of the possession, but there was no contest as to who used the ball better as only goalkeeper Andy Coleman saved the home side from an even more embarrassing score-line.

Ryan Henderson’s 61st minute goal was enough to secure victory for DC in the end, as Glenavon struggled and failed to break down the visitors’ defence.

Arguably the home side’s best chance came on just six minutes when a good ball from Niall Henderson played in Mark Miskimmin. With the goal seemingly at his mercy, rather than shooting he tried to pick out Kevin Kelbie with a square ball but Celtic’s eager defence got back to clear the danger.

Kelbie himself then had an effort but his header fell wide of the far post from Peter McCann’s cross.

DC then piled the pressure on Andy Coleman. On 22 minutes, Paul Bradley tackled David Magee and a simple ball down the left-flank set Ryan Henderson free. The Glenavon keeper however did well to push his shot out for a corner.

Coleman had to be lively from that set-piece too, as Steven McAlorum saw a stern effort saved.

Back at the other end, Miskimmin warmed the gloves of Celtic stopper Robert Robinson, once on Glenavon’s books. Peter McCann teed up the striker wide on the left and his smashed effort was well tipped round the post.

Mark Haughey then got a headed flick on David Magee’s corner but it struck Jonny Harkness on the line and shot up over the crossbar as Glenavon’s luck was definitely not in.

Ryan Henderson then played in Darren Murray but Andy Coleman was again quick off his line to charge out and stop the attempted lob.

As the second half began, Niall Henderson tried to force Glenavon ahead but his long range effort flew over the bar, as did his free-kick soon after.

Then came the winning goal, a fantastic move started and finished by the accomplished Ryan Henderson.

The midfielder carried the ball out of his own half, completed a one-two with Eamon McAllister and then spread it wide to the unmarked Paul McVeigh. The forward then slid a perfect cross back into Henderson’s path and the Lurgan man made no mistake, slotting home past the helpless Andy Coleman.

Harkness then stretched Coleman with a free-kick that nicked off the wall and forced the keeper to tip it over the crossbar.

Seconds later, Coleman again had to react quickly to stop Murray’s looping shot that was destined for the top corner.

As the game drew to a close, Glenavon pushed forward in search of the equaliser but couldn’t find a route to goal. Niall Henderson first scuffed an effort that was routinely saved and Brendan Shannon’s cross almost dropped in at the far post but fell narrowly wide.

The best chance of the closing period fell to substitute Ciaran Doherty but David Magee’s corner was headed wide by the midfielder who ghosted in unnoticed at the back of the pack.

And so it was another defeat for Marty Quinn’s men, leaving the boss and newly appointed coach Packie McAllister with a tough task as the season rumbles on but the Blues’ progress remains at a standstill.

GLENAVON: Coleman, Shannon, Haughey, Henderson, Harpur (Graham 74), Miskimmin, Kelbie (O’Carroll 81), D. Magee, Jonny Magee (Doherty 74), Turkington, McCann (c).

Unused Subs: McGonnell, Brennan.

DONEGAL CELTIC: Robinson, Harkness, O’Hara, McAlorum (Keegan 91), Henderson, Bradley, Murray (Glenholmes 87), McAllister, McVeigh, Lambe, Lynch (Burns 77).

Unused Subs: Goudy, Atkinson, Glenholmes.

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