GLENAVON RESERVES LOSE FINAL HOME FIXTURE o2m6o
Glenavon Reserves 0 Linfield Swifts 4 4t2z5f
Premiership Development League 4h2w6c
Mourneview Park, Lurgan
Wednesday 23rd April 2025
Glenavon Reserves completed its programme of home fixtures against Linfield Swifts. Although Chris Chambers and Mark Porter’s side lost 4-0, it played with commitment and enthusiasm.
The young Blues formed a guard of honour to welcome the South Belfast men – winners of the Premiership Development League title – to the pitch.
Zach Anderson’s early attempt was well saved by Glenavon goalkeeper Lucas Fry.
In the 11th minute Jacob Farr headed Shane Trainor’s cross from a corner kick past Fry at the far post.
Fry saved well when Jon Graham let fly from distance.
Glenavon captain Matthew Brady released Calum Cope who forced Daragh Rooney to make a fine stop.
Jude Cargill crossed for Anderson to again extend Fry.
In the 25th minute Jon Graham crossed for Oliver Wade to apply the coup de gras at the far post.
Moments later Wade’s shot was deflected wide, and Fry made a fine save from Trainor’s well struck effort.
In the 40th minute Linfield Swifts scored their third goal. Graham crossed from the right, Farr controlled the ball in the air, turned sharply and beat Fry with a brilliant volley from 12 yards.
In the closing minutes of the first half Calum Thompson and Anderson shot over the crossbar.
Glenavon Reserves, outplayed for periods of the opening 45 minutes, were much more competitive after the break.
Early in the second half Farr shot wide twice and Thompson tested Lucas Fry with an accurate drive.
In the 54th minute Zak Anderson scored the Swifts’ fourth goal. It was their 100th of the campaign. The young striker turned smartly on the edge of the penalty area and beat Fry with an accurate low drive.
Glenavon Reserves’ Zac Dickson’s well hit shot was deflected wide.
From the resultant corner kick Brody Moore picked out Harry O’Neill at the back post. However, O’Neill header was just off target.
At the other end Rhys McGarry’s shot was cleared off the line and Zach Anderson broke through, rounded Fry but inexplicably hit the post with the goal gaping.
Moore did well on the right and crossed to Glenavon Reserves’ number nine Charlie Gault who controlled the ball well but shot against the base of a post.
In the closing minutes Shane Trainor twice headed wide.
GLENAVON RESERVES: Fry, Neill, Robinson, Gault, Hawthorne, Cope, Dickson, Brady, Crooks, O’Neill, Finnegan, SUBS: Moore for Robinson (7 mins), Chapman for Hawthorne (77 mins), Niblock for Cope (77 mins), D. Trainor (not used), McConville for Neill (77 mins).
LINFIELD SWIFTS: Rooney, Cargill, Graham, Leacock, Hawe, Wade, S. Trainor, Allen, Farr, Thompson, Anderson, SUBS: McLoughlin for Leacock (61 mins) and McGarry for Wade (61 mins).
REFEREE: Jack Evans.
