GLENAVON SUFFERS NARROW DEFEAT AT SHAMROCK PARK 5k716g
Portadown 1 Glenavon 0 574e50
Sports Direct Irish Premiership 452l4e
Shamrock Park, Portadown
Saturday 23rd November 2024
A 6th minute goal by Ahu Obhakhan earned Portadown a 1-0 victory in the third Mid-Ulster derby of the season.
Although disappointed with the result, new boss Paddy McLaughlin will have been encouraged by many aspects of Glenavon’s play. For long periods, the Lurgan Blues played the better football and created the better chances. Gareth Deane did not make a save of note in the entire game.
The visitors made the brighter start. In the 2nd minute Davy McDaid found James Doona with a well weighted . The Dubliner turned inside a defender and unloaded a fine left foot shot which McCarey was forced to tip over the crossbar.
Portadown scored what proved to be the winning goal in its first meaningful attack. The ball was flicked to the edge of the penalty area by Ryan Mayse, Eamon Fyfe pushed it in front of Obhakhan and he beat Deane with a fine left foot shot.
Glenavon responded well, continuing to dominate possession and playing some fine football.
James Doona should have equalised in the 11th minute. Ward and Malone combined well on the left. When Campbell took possession, he beat Lewis MacKinnon and crossed low to the heart of the penalty area. Doona, with just McCarey to beat, snatched at the ball and the weak effort limped wide of the upright.
Jack Malone shot straight at the goalkeeper and Doona was inches too high with a fine curling free kick from 25 yards.
McDaid, in the 34th minute, turned sharply on the edge of the penalty area. However, his right foot attempt went wide.
Calum Birney’s header from Keith Ward’s corner kick was partially blocked by Josh Ukek.
Just before half time, at the other end, Baris Altintop headed over the crossbar from a free kick on the left touchline.
In the 50th minute a wayward in midfield by James Doona ceded possession to Portadown. Ryan Mayse broke at pace. When his shot was blocked, Josh Ukek let fly from 18 yards. Gareth Deane saved easily.
Glenavon almost equalised when Birney made a firm headed connection with Ward’s corner. McCarey was forced to dive to his left to claw the ball away.
When Mayse burst clear on the right he crossed into the penalty area. A goal seemed certain. However, a rushed attempt at the far post was blocked and the ball was cleared.
Peter Campbell turned well 18 yards out, but his shot struck a defender.
McCullough crossed from the right for MacKinnon, but his header was straight at Deane.
Jack Malone went close with a brilliant free kick from all of 35 yards. The former Derry City midfielder’s curling attempt was fingertipped clear by McCarey.
In the 82nd minute Glenavon seemed to have drawn level. The excellent Malone’s free kick from near the touch line evaded the entire Portadown defence. James Carroll istered the coup de grace at the far post. However, the assistant referee’s flag brought the visitors’ celebrations to an abrupt halt.
PORTADOWN: McCarey, Altintop, MacKinnon, McCawl, Chapman, Mayse, McCullough, Ukek, Fyfe, Obhakhan, Thompson, SUBS: Ray (not used), D. Wilson (not used), McElroy for Mayse (78 mins), Henderson for McCawl (59 mins), Wylie for Ukek (59 mins), Traynor (not used), Mullan (not used).
Yellow Cards: McCawl (37’), Chapman (69’), Wylie (80’), Thompson (90+3’).
GLENAVON: Deane, Marshall, O’Sullivan, McKeown, Birney, Ward, Snoddy, Malone, McDaid, Campbell, Doona, SUBS: Byrne (not used), Toure for Doona (59 mins), Atherton for Ward (59 mins), O’Connor for McDaid (59 mins), Carroll for Marshall (74 mins), Doran (not used), McGovern for Birney (74 mins).
Yellow Cards: McKeown (83’), Malone (84’), Toure (90+1’).
REFEREE: Ian McNabb.
