Hamilton debut suffers from Knight robbery

EVEN a skilful debut performance from Gary Hamilton wasn’t enough to keep Glenavon from the latest in a string of defeats on Saturday.

The Blues went down 2-1 to Coleraine in the game that they largely dominated but, as has been a familiar story, found it difficult to convert that pressure into goals.

It was another debutant, former Chelsea man Leon Knight, who emerged the hero as he bagged a brace for the Bannsiders to ensure Mark Haughey’s first league goal meant nothing in terms of points.

Haughey had, of course come in to partner Conor Walsh, to replace the suspended Jay Magee and Willo McDonagh. Mark Miskimmin and Gary Hamilton both came into the starting line-up and Glenavon went with a 4-3-1-2 formation, Hamilton playing just behind Miskimmin and Tony Grant.

It was an attacking set-up for the Blues who badly needed goals and the victory but it didn’t take long before Coleraine went ahead.

Darren Boyce flicked on Davey O’Hare’s free-kick and sent Knight clear of the defence. The 28-year-old striker didn’t need a second invitation and smashed the small into the net to begin his Coleraine career with a bang.

The Blues didn’t deserve to be behind at all and after the goal they still enjoyed the vast majority of possession. Stuart King, who enjoyed a very impressive first half, put in a good cross but Adrian Harper could only head wide at the back post. Tony Grant then scuffed a 20-yard effort at goal before Gary Hamilton’s corner kicks wreaked havoc in the Coleraine box.

The on loan forward whipped in a 16th minute set-piece and, as the ball flew towards Walsh at the back post, the Glenavon skipper appeared to be being held but referee Keith Halliday waved play on. A minute later, another Hamilton corner found Mark Miskimmin at the near post but his flicked header was blocked on the line.

In a frustrating period for the home side, Hamilton then looked to be tugged down by Howard Beverland in the box but again, the penalty appeals fell on deaf ears.

David Ogilby then headed Stephen Carson’s free-kick wide at the back post but back at the other end, yet another Hamilton corner caused problems for Coleraine as Mark Haughey got in a header but it smacked agonisingly off the crossbar.

Glenavon went in at the break having had the majority of possession and with Hamilton showing his class but still a goal down.

They started the second half the stronger team too but Gary Hamilton’s first shot in a Glenavon shirt fell wide on 54 minutes. Soon after though the Blues did draw level through Mark Haughey, who headed Kyle Neill’s deflected free-kick in at the back post.

Last week, boss Marty Quinn bemoaned his side’s habit of conceding soon after scoring and just seconds later they looked set to do it again. Aaron Canning played in a hard, low cross that hit off Darren Boyce and but for the dive of Andy Plummer, would have snuck into the bottom corner.

Glenavon did then go on to push hard for a second but found it difficult to create chances with Mark Miskimmin hitting the best one wide after Tony Grant teed up his strike partner 15 yards out.

Coleraine did still look dangerous too and Boyce turned well six yards out before his shot was well blocked by Brendan Shannon, just as he looked sure to re-establish the Coleraine lead.

However, that lead was indeed regained on 78 minutes when Johnny Harkness’ free-kick was headed in by 5’5” striker Knight from just six yards out.

Glenavon set about trying to get a late equaliser but Conor Walsh fired way over from the edge of the box before Grant’s shot from Shannon’s cross met the same fate.

They didn’t really look likely to draw level again and as the game ticked into four minutes of injury time, the typically lively Adrian Harper had the final chance but his 20-yard effort was routinely saved by Davey O’Hare.

It all meant that Glenavon’s poor run continued to make it three straight defeats and just one point from the last eight Carling Premiership matches. That leaves the Blues sitting just two points off the foot of league table and needing results sooner rather than later.

GLENAVON: Plummer, Shannon, Walsh (Turkington 90+4), Haughey, Neill, King (Harpur 78), Harper, Stewart, Hamilton, Grant, Miskimmin (Costello 83)

UNUSED SUBS: Grieve, C. Doherty

COLERAINE: O’Hare, Beverland, Harkness, Hegarty, McVey (Lowry 39), Boyce (Brown 80), Black, Knight, Carson, Canning, Ogilby

UNUSED SUBS: Tommons, Mukendi, R. Doherty