GLENAVON LOSES TO LINFIELD AMIDST PENALTY KICK CONTROVERSY

GLENAVON LOSES TO LINFIELD AMIDST PENALTY KICK CONTROVERSY 4142t

Linfield 2 Glenavon 0 5o424a

Sports Direct Irish Premiership 6p2b29

The National Stadium, Windsor Park, Belfast

Saturday 15th March 2025

Despite performing creditably Glenavon lost 2-0 to the Premiership champions elect. Former Mourneview favourite, Joel Cooper (52, 83 mins) scored both goals. His second was a controversial penalty kick.

The first period was virtually devoid of goalmouth action. Paddy McLaughlin’s side made the more positive start and dominated possession for long spells but lacked a cutting edge.

The visitors’ best opening fell to Peter Campbell after good work by Davy McDaid. The Richhill man had a clear sight of goal on the right side of the penalty area but misdirected a inside and the chance was gone.

David Toure’s shot from the edge of the 18 yard box was blocked and cleared.

Campbell’s free kick on the right evaded both defenders and attackers and the ball slid narrowly past the far post.

Linfield’s Josh Archer let fly from 22 yards, but his shot went yards wide.

When Callumn Morrison crossed from the right, the ball struck Barney McKeown forcing Mark Byrne to dive to his left to make a good save. It was the only occasion in the entire 90 minutes when the Newry man was stretched.

Just before half time Campbell’s well struck effort was deflected wide after the number ten had combined well with Jack Malone.

After the resultant corner kick was partially cleared, Toure struck a crisp half volley from distance which David Walsh moved sharply to his left to save.

Glenavon started the second period on the front foot. Peter Campbell, in fine form, hit a brilliant low drive from 25 yards which Walsh pawed away.

The home side’s opening goal came against the run of play. Len O’Sullivan failed to clear a cross by Euan East and Joel Cooper pounced on the loose ball to shoot past Byrne from six yards.

Five minutes later a partially cleared corner kick was delivered back into the box by Chris Shields and Kirk Millar curled a right foot effort narrowly wide of the far post.

When Peter Campbell’s free kick fell to substitute Chris Atherton, the 16 year old shot over the crossbar from 12 yards.

After Matthew Fitzpatrick pulled the ball back from the right, East let fly. David Toure, well placed in the heart of the penalty area, blocked his attempt.

Mark Byrne’s poor clearance allowed Jamie Mulgrew a clear run on goal. However, Barney McKeown made a fine recovery run to force the Linfield captain wide and Harry Murphy cleared the ball for a corner kick. Byrne tipped Kirk Millar’s cross over the crossbar. After Joel Cooper took the resultant corner kick referee Boyce inexplicably blew his whistle. Millar kicked the ball away in frustration thinking that the visitors had been awarded a goal kick. The official had, in fact, pointed to the penalty spot. Players on both teams looked bewildered. When calm was restored, Cooper confidently stroked the ball past Byrne.

It later emerged that Boyce had penalised the Newry goalkeeper for an infringement on Kieran Offord thoughthe Linfield substitute did not fall to the ground or protest.

Glenavon forced a flurry of corner kicks in added time but was unable to pull a goal back. Aaron Prendergast went closest with a shot which was deflected wide.

LINFIELD: Walsh, Archer, Ballantyne, Hall, Orr, Shields, Morrison, Mulgrew, Cooper, Fitzpatrick, Millar, SUBS: Johns (not used), East for Archer (half time), Gorrin for Ballantyne (half time), McKee for Millar (90 mins), Offordfor Morrison (72 mins), McGee (not used), Annett (not used).

Yellow Cards: Gorrin (65’), Hall (76’).

GLENAVON: Byrne, Toure, O’Sullivan, Lynch, Murphy, McKeown, Snoddy, Malone, McDaid, Campbell, Carlin, SUBS: Deane (not used), Marshall for O’Sullivan (77 mins), Atherton for Snoddy (65 mins), Prendergast for McDaid (87 mins), A. Heaney (not used), McGovern for Malone (65 mins), J. Heaney (not used).