LOUGHGALL V GLENAVON, A LOOK AHEAD 6n5l2n

On Saturday 2nd November 2024 Glenavon faces Loughgall at Lakeview Park. 2b5ho

Last weekend Loughgall defeated Dungannon Swifts 3-1 at Stangmore Park. It was the County Armagh club’s first league win since August. “Loughgall might be bottom of the table, but they are a decent side,” said Blues’ boss Stephen McDonnell. “A few weeks ago, they outplayed Portadown at Shamrock Park, and they also performed very well against Linfield. They are strong and physical, the ball accurately and are very committed. They have not got the points their performances deserve.”

McDonnell feels that, to win the game, his players will need to match Loughgall’s work rate, defend well and create and convert more scoring opportunities. “This week, in training, we have concentrated on what we do when we are in possession,” he explained. “We are not creative enough. Last Saturday we dominated the game, particularly the second half, but we hardly worked the Carrick goalkeeper. We need to be better in the attacking third. It is frustrating because we have been very good defensively. We need to turn draws into wins. If we do that, we will climb the table.”

Stephen hopes that midfielders and defenders will show more composure in the final third. “Davy McDaid has scored five and Michael O’Connor has scored four,” he said. “Outside of that we have struggled. Hopefully, others will begin to contribute. If we can improve the goals for column, it will make a huge difference.”

Except for Isaac Baird, Glenavon has a fully fit squad. Rhys Marshall is eligible again after serving a one-match suspension. However, Chris Atherton and Paul McGovern are unavailable due to their participation in the Northern Ireland U-17 squad’s European Championship qualifying ties against Scotland, Republic of Ireland and Lithuania. McDonnell is disappointed not to have the services of the two young wingers. “Chris and Paul have both contributed a lot to our performances and results over the last six or seven weeks,” he said. “They are very young, but they are genuine first team players. We are delighted that they have been given the chance to play for their country, but not having them on Saturday is a blow.”

In September 2024 Glenavon drew 2-2 with Loughgall at Mourneview Park.

Glenavon v Loughgall, Last Season
Date Result
25/11/23 Loughgall 2 Glenavon 2
18/11/23 Glenavon 2 Loughgall 0
23/03/24 Glenavon 1 Loughgall 2
13/04/24 Loughgall 3 Glenavon 1

Other Glenavon teams in action this weekend:

(Free ission to all games)

  • Monday 4th November 2024 – Cliftonville Olympic v Glenavon Reserves, Solitude, 2000 k.o.
  • Friday 1st November 2024 – Linfield U-18s v Glenavon U-18s, Midgley Park, Belfast, 2000 k.o.
  • Saturday 2nd November 2024 – Newry City U-16s v Glenavon U-16s, Jennings Park, Newry, 1100 k.o.
  • Saturday 2nd November 2024 – Glenavon U-15s v Coleraine U-15s, Lurgan Junior High School 3G, 1115 k.o.