McKeever rolls back the years in Reserves victory

The home side took a little while to settle and keeper Kealan Mulcahy was at full stretch on two occasions to tip long range efforts over the crossbar.

On 20 minutes Stute took the lead through midfielder Jordan Armstrong who stooped to head home Jamie McIntyre’s pinpoint cross.

The home side continued to press with Davitt Walsh proving a handful for the Lurgan Blues’ defence. Linking well with McIntyre and Ben Doherty on the other wing the trio threatened on a number of occasions but were unable to test the Glenavon keeper significantly.

The Drumahoe men doubled their lead on 34 minutes when Walsh nipped in between a couple of defenders and cut the ball back across goal where it was turned into the net by an unfortunate Glenavon defender as McIntytre threatened to pounce.

The visitors were given hope within a minute of the restart after young Dylan King was adjudged to have brought down an attacker for a penalty kick. Mulcahy though was equal to the task and produced a fine save with his legs to maintain Stute’s two goal advantage.

That miss seemed to deflate Glenavon who saw another penalty appeal turned down soon after and failed to trouble Stute after that.

In fairness the second incident looked more of a penalty that the one awarded but the home side were not complaining as they went on to dominate the second period with Declan McKeever in particular rolling back the years with some adventurous runs from his full-back position.

The win was sealed on 73 minutes when new signing Paul Smith, making his debut, showed great skill to work the ball to the bye-line before picking out Ben Doherty for the easiest of tap-ins.

The Reserves next fixture is away to table topping Coleraine on Wednesday February 4, at the Coleraine Showgrounds in what should be another entertaining encounter. Institute Res: Mulcahy, Young, D King, Scoltock, McKeever, Doherty, Armstrong, Burke, McIntyre, Walsh, Doherty. Subs: Ballard, Smith, J King.