GLENAVON OUTCLASSED BY LINFIELD

GLENAVON OUTCLASSED BY LINFIELD 3k4652

Glenavon 0 Linfield 3 4z5q33

Sports Direct Irish Premiership 6p2b29

Mourneview Park, Lurgan

Tuesday 20th August 2024

Linfield scored three times in the first half to easily defeat Glenavon. Although Stephen McDonnell’s men rallied somewhat after the break, it was a disappointing performance. Questions will be asked, in particular, about the home side’s poor defending.

Joel Cooper (2, 35 mins) and Kirk Millar (19 mins) were the men on target for the Belfast Blues.

Cooper pierced Glenavon’s rearguard virtually from the kick off. James Carroll failed to deal with a goal kick by Chris Johns and Matthew Fitzpatrick released the one-time Mourneview Park favourite. Joel carried the ball a few yards before beating Deane with a low left foot shot.

Almost from the restart Jamie Doran found himself in space on the right side of the penalty area. However, his cross cum shot was straight at Johns.

James Doona shot wide from 20 yards and then struck a 30-yard free kick over the crossbar.

In the 10th minute Glenavon had appeals for a spot-kick turned away when Scot Whiteside clashed with Peter Campbell just inside the penalty area.

Twice during the first half the impressive Euan East supplied penetrating crosses which Chris McKee headed weakly into Deane’s waiting arms.

Linfield extended its lead in the 19th minute. Man-of-the-match Cooper beat two defenders on the left before crossing low for the unmarked Kirk Millar to apply the coupe de grace with a side-foot shot into the roof of the net.

James Doona tried again to find the test Johns but his cross cum shot was easily saved.

Linfield made the score 3-0 when McKee collected Shields’ raking to the left and crossed for East to shoot from 20 yards. When the attempt was blocked the ball fell kindly for Cooper and he despatched it with aplomb.

Just before the half-time whistle Kyle McClean shot narrowly over the crossbar after more good work by Cooper.

At the start of the second period, Glenavon introduced Keith Ward and debutant Barney McKeown for Jamie Doran and James Carroll.

But Joel Cooper continued to threaten. When he broke clear on the left, his cross was partially cleared by McKeown. Kirk Millar pounced only to shoot wide from 8 yards.

McKeown almost brought the home side back into the game but his powerful header from Ward’s corner kick slipped over the crossbar.

Cooper was again involved when East picked him out with a precise cross but the talented number nine blazed over from 8 yards.

Substitute Charlie Allen went close for the visitors with a curling shot from 20 yards.

When the busy Ward found Michael O’Connor at the back post the much-travelled striker scuffed his shot and the chance was gone.

At the other end another Cooper attempt was deflected narrowly wide.

Chris Atherton, who replaced Peter Campbell, brought pace and purpose to the Glenavon attack. When the teenager crossed superbly, Johns was unable to gather the ball cleanly and Ward’s shot was blocked by a defender. A few minutes later Atherton made another surging run. This time his well hit shot was deflected wide.

In injury time Allen made a fine break, but his left foot effort went just over the crossbar.

GLENAVON: Deane, O’Sullivan, Marshall, Haughey. Carroll, Snoddy, Doran, Campbell, Quinn, Doona, O’Connor, SUBS: Byrne (not used), Toure (not used), McDaid for O’Connor (74 mins), Lynch for Snoddy (65 mins), Atherton for Campbell (74 mins), McKeown forCarroll (half-time), Ward for Doran (half-time).

Yellow Cards: Haughey (34’).

LINFIELD: Johns, Roscoe-Byrne, east, Whiteside, Shields, Millar, McClean, Cooper, McKee, McGee, Fitzpatrick, SUBS: Walsh (not used), Allen for McClean (61 mins), McBrien for Millar (82 mins), Ballantyne forMcKee (61 mins), Archer for Cooper (90 mins), Annett for Fitzpatrick (90 mins), McKay (not used.