Manager blasts team after home defeat

The boss pulled no punches, hitting out at what he described as one of the worst displays since he took over.

“We had nine players who just did not compete,” said Hamilton. “There was only one team out there that wanted to compete and that was Dungannon. It was not good enough. I have praised the team when they have done well, but on this occasion I have to come out and apologise to the fans who deserve better.”

Hamilton scored a stunning goal late in the game, a contender for goal of the season, but that meant nothing to him. “I scored a good goal, but really it is nothing in context of what happened tonight.”

Glenavon never got going and they were fortunate not to be more than two goals down at the break, both scored by Darren Boyce. Guy Bates was unfortunate not to pull a goal back when his shot on the turn was brilliantly tipped overthe bar by the keeper.

It didn’t get much better in the second half either and even with a bit more possession it was the Swifts who always looked the more likely to score and Boyce smashed home his second spot kick of the night to grab a hat-trick and kill off any comeback hopes Glenavon had.

Hamilton’s spot of magic came on 86 minutes when he flicked the ball over a defender, turned and hit a volley into the roof of the net. One little bit of class on what was otherwise a terrible night for the Lurgan Blues.