EUROPA LEAGUE: Glenavon dream over with Molde defeat
A memorable Europa League display at Mourneview Park last week left the Lurgan Blues holding a 2-1 lead over the full-time Molde outfit under the management of Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, the absence of key players in goalkeeper Jonny Tuffey and Rhys Marshall - the latter a first-leg hero thanks to his goal and assist - served to increase the challenge facing a Glenavon squad already depleted by the unavailability of Andrew Mitchell, Sammy Clingan and James Singleton.
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Hide AdEtzaz Hussain’s penalty kick on 29 minutes left the sides level on aggregate and gave Molde the upper hand overall in the first qualifying round due to the away-goals rule.
Eirik Hestad’s hat-trick put Molde clear of spirited Glenavon overall, with his final goal on 90 minutes.
Babacar increased the gap on 94 minutes for a 6-3 aggregate scoreline.
Glenavon at one point sparked hopes of an upset when Andy Hall’s cross led to a Vegard Forren own goal for a 4-3 aggregate deficit.
GLENAVON: Taylor, King, Marron, Grace, Daniels (O’Mahony, 92), Murray, Sykes, Doyle, Hall (Jenkins, 84), Donnelly (Norton, 46), Muir.
Subs (not used): Harmon, Lindsay, Hazard, Hamilton.