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Linfield lacked cutting edge as they were held to a goalless draw by Glenavon at Mourneview Park this afternoon with Christy Manzinga seeing red in an otherwise dull affair.

The first half, in truth, was a snoozefest in terms of entertainment. There were good battles over the pitch but there were few real chances of note in an opening 45 minutes where play was regularly broken up.

The closest either team came to scoring in the first half was when Glenavon midfielder Michael O’Connor whipped in a free-kick from the right which was met by former Linfield defender Mark Haughey whose dipping header flashed just over the upright.

Another former Linfied man, Andy Waterworth set up a chance when he headed on a long kick down the field right into the path of the advancing Matthew Snoddy and the midfielder’s volley from just inside the box was comfortably saved by Chris Johns.

Waterworth himself called Johns into action when he struck a 20 yard snapshot but it was again comfortable for Chris Johns to save. To his credit, Johns did very well with a number of long throw-ins and corners into a crowded goalmouth.

The only time Glenavon goalkeeper Declan Brown was called into action was late into the half when Christy Manzinga put his foot through a 30 yard free-kick but it was a save Brown was expected to make.

Half Time: Glenavon 0 – 0 Linfield

The second half was an improved spectacle and the big talking point of the match occurred five minutes into it. Christy Manzinga was fouled by Glenavon defender Andy Doyle next to the corner. Both players swiped at each other and received straight red cards apiece, meaning Manzinga will likely miss upcoming matches against Glentoran, Cliftonville and Ards. A real blow given the French striker’s early season form.

Linfield seemed to up their game after the flashpoint and as they were in the ascendancy, David Healy waited ten minutes before reshuffling the pack. Ahmed Salam showed good intentions and good feet to burst into the box past a few players which allowed Cameron Palmer to get a shot away in the box, but his low strike was blocked.

The Blues introduced Matt Green, Kirk Millar and Jamie Mulgrew just before the hour-mark and looked a bit better for it. Kirk Millar as per usual was hammering good crosses into the box and Jimmy Callacher went close from one. The defender met a corner with a header which was deflected marginally over the crossbar.

Soon after, Millar whipped another corner in and Matt Green was a whisker away from getting a telling touch on it but unfortunately, the ball whistled just past the outside of the far post.

Glenavon were content with a point, although they did look to try and win it on the counter attack when the prospect was there. Linfield, meanwhile, were actively searching for a winner but just couldn’t find it as they failed to create or work the goalkeeper anywhere near enough. A rare chance came late in stoppage time as Billy Chadwick did well and teed up Jamie Mulgrew whose 20 yard drive was too central and was beaten away by the goalkeeper.

Full Time: Glenavon 0 – 0 Linfield

Match Images

1. David Healy - reaction to today’s draw