Dismal day as supporters left 'singing the Blues'

GLENAVON suffered yet another defeat on Saturday as they slumped to a 4-1 defeat to Glentoran at the Oval with Willo McDonagh and Jay Magee picking up red cards in the process

The central defensive duo were both given their marching order for second bookable offences.

On top of that, it was another disappointing performance from the Blues who looked susceptible to Glentoran’s pace at the back and, at best, simply not good enough to regularly threaten their opponents at the other end.

Stuart King, returning from injury, and Adrian Harper both came into the starting line-up at the expense of James Costello and Mark Miskimmin with the remainder of the side unchanged from the previous Tuesday’s defeat to Cliftonville.

And King was immediately involved as his cross set up Trevor Molloy for an overhead kick that fell just over the bar in the opening minutes.

However, the home side soon found their rhythm and it was one-way traffic as they poured forward, attacking Glenavon’s defence with ease. Matty Burrows and David Howland had two scuffed efforts denied whilst Andy Waterworth fired over from 20 yards out, but on 19 minutes the wind-assisted Glens took the lead.

After his wonder-strike against Portadown four days earlier, Burrows scored another amazing goal when he flicked the ball up and, despite the almost impossible angle, hit a perfect overhead lob into the far corner past a helpless Andy Plummer.

Three minutes later, passions spilt over after Jay Magee and Richard Clarke both slid in for a 50:50 challenge. Paul Leeman then came in with a rough tackle on Magee and all 22 players rushed to the melee in the middle of the pitch. Adrian Harper was sent flying and ended up in a heap on the ground and after it was all over, referee Brian Turkington issued yellow cards to Leeman, McDonagh and Magee.

The tussle seemed to fire Glenavon into action and they immediately improved their performance. However, goalscoring chances were few and far between as Stuart King’s shot was blocked after Elliott Morris had failed to collect Brendan Shannon’s long throw in the best of the opportunities.

The latter period of the half certainly held some promise for the visitors but that was all undone shortly after the break when Glentoran doubled their lead.

Former Glenavon man Neal Gawley fired in a left-wing cross that was palmed into the air by Andy Plummer before dropping at Andy Waterworth’s feet for the striker to tap home.

Conor Walsh went close to counteracting that goal on 62 minutes as he glanced Molloy’s cross past Elliot Morris and agonisingly off the inside of the post.

James Costello then came on for King with Trevor Molloy swapping over to the left wing. Molloy could have halved the deficit minutes later when he headed Costello’s cross at goal only for it to be blocked on the line. Appeals for handball went up from the winger but fell on deaf ears as Turkington waved play on.

Ryan Harpur then saw his header easily stopped before Andy Plummer made a great save at the other end. Glens’ hero, Matty Burrows was played clear of the defence and rushed toward goal but the keeper spread himself well to block the shot before the rebound was also stopped.

James Costello then cleared a header off the line as Glentoran continued to attack but on 77 minutes, things went from bad to worse for Glenavon as Jay Magee was sent off. The defender, having been booked in the first half, fouled Waterworth and was given a questionable second yellow card with the result an early bath.

David Howland then rifled an effort just over the bar before Burrows saw another effort well stopped by Plummer.

On 89 minutes, Glenavon made it 2-1 as Tony Grant slipped the ball to substitute Mark Miskimmin and the striker did well to lift the ball over Morris and into the top corner.

Could they really sneak a point?

Seconds later that question was answered with a resounding “no” as Burrows raced up the pitch and slotted the ball beyond Plummer.

As if things weren’t miserable enough for the Lurgan side, Brian Turkington added further insult to their already severe injuries, sending off Willo McDonagh for a second yellow card after he fouled Colin Nixon. And no, that wasn’t even the end of it as Johnny Black smashed the resulting free-kick into the top corner to make it 4-1.

Altogether, it was a disappointing day for the Blues, who have now picked up just one point from the last possible 21 in the Carling Premiership.

GLENTORAN: Morris, Nixon, Clarke, Leeman (Fordyce 67), Ward, Waterworth, Gawley (Hall 75), Burrows, Taylor, Hill (Black 67), Howland

UNUSED SUBS: Steele, Gardiner

GLENAVON: Plummer, Shannon, Neill, Magee, McDonagh, Harpur (Miskimmin 67), Walsh, Grant, Molloy (Stewart 84), King (Costello 59), Harper

UNUSED SUBS: Turkington, Lavery