Glenavon on title chase

ON Saturday Glenavon maintained its exciting challenge for the BOYLE Sports Championship title with a 2-0 home success against Institute.

Peter Maguire (63 mins) and Ryan Waide (65 mins) were the men on target.

The Lurgan club dominated possession for the vast majority of the contest but was constantly thwarted by a well marshalled defence.

In the opening fifteen minutes Waide shot over from a Campbell cross, Luke McGerrigan was wide with a left-foot effort and Alex Watson dragged the ball inches past the far post following good work by McGerrigan and Paddy Burns.

Maguire headed Campbell’s cross from a promising free kick situation over the crossbar.

Institute goalkeeper Jack Mills moved quickly to tip Jude Johnson’s shot over the crossbar after his attempted clearance hit the Glentoran loanee’s body and the ball fell at his feet.

Glenavon went in front from the resultant corner-kick as Peter Maguire climbed high at the far post to head Campbell’s inviting cross into the roof of the net.

Two minutes later Ryan Waide doubled the home side’s advantage with a goal of outstanding quality. After Paddy Burns had done the spadework on the left, the centre forward beat Mills from 20 yards with an audacious angled chip.

Padraig Lynch almost reduced the arrears when he unloaded a right foot half-volley which struck the underside of the crossbar, hit Mark Byrne on the back but somehow stayed out.

Lynch seemed certain to score when he latched onto a loose ball, but Maguire blocked the attempt.

On Friday night Glenavon travels to Lakeview Park to face Loughgall.

GLENAVON: Byrne, McMullan, Burns, Murphy, Maguire, McGerrigan, Henderson, Watson, Waide, Johnson, Campbell, SUBS: Mountney for McGerrigan (88 mins), B. Doyle (not used), Devine for Waide (79 mins), Patton (not used), Cartwright (not used), Healy for Watson (68 mins), Quinn for Johnson (79 mins).

INSTITUTE: Mills, O’Kane, B. Hutton, Boyle, Doherty, Lynch, Barr, Hegarty, Brolly, McGinley, Mullan, SUBS: Muldoon (not used), Crown (not used), Deery for Barr (89 mins), Chambers for Hegarty (89 mins), Kennedy for Brolly (70 mins), Johnston for Mullan (70 mins), McDowell for B. Hutton (82 mins).

REFEREE: Stewart Long.