Match Details
Date :
24th February 2014
Competition :
Irish League
Linfield Scorers :
P Lowry 40', M Haughey 73'
Glenavon Scorer :
T Mulvenna 27'
Teams
Linfield Team :
J Tuffey, M Gault, M Haughey, A Waterworth, P Lowry, BJ Burns, S Ward, J Mulgrew, M McAllister (M Tipton 67’), I Sproule, N Quinn.
Linfield Subs not used :
M Carvill, Re Glendinning, R Clarke, G Deane.
Glenavon Team :
J McGrath, K Neill (M Patton 77’), W Murphy, K Lindsay, D Rainey, A McGrory, R Marshall, S McCabe, C Martyn, J Singleton, T Mulvenna (G Hamilton 77’).
Glenavon Subs not used :
G Bates, A Kilmartin, G McKeown.
Report
Linfield came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Windsor Park in tonight’s re-arranged Danske Bank Premiership game against Glenavon. Tiarnan Mulvenna converted a first half penalty following a hand ball by Phil Lowry but the Linfield midfielder made amends by equalising just before half time. Former Lurgan Blues defender Mark Haughey sealed the win for the Belfast Blues midway through the second half as Linfield leapfrog Cliftonville to go top of the league.
David Jeffrey made one change from the side that started at Glentoran on Friday night with Mark McAllister coming in for Matthew Tipton who dropped to the bench.
Glenavon had the first chance of the game on 7 minutes when David Rainey was played through on the left. The former Crusaders striker’s left footed shot was well saved by Jonathan Tuffey who clawed the ball behind for a corner kick.
Linfield almost took the lead 3 minutes later. Mark McAllister slipped the ball through to Andy Waterworth and his right footed shot from just inside the box was spectacularly cleared off the line by Rhys Marshall.
Ivan Sproule’s 23rd minute run almost resulted in a goal but, after leaving Rhys Marshall in his wake, he saw his fizzing left footed cross hacked away by the Glenavon defence for a corner.
Glenavon were awarded a 26th minute penalty kick after David Rainey’s attempted overhead kick struck the arm of Philip Lowry. Up stepped Tiarnan Mulvenna who placed the ball into the bottom left hand corer of the net, giving Tuffey no chance.
Some indecision in the Glenavon area on 38 minutes almost allowed Mark McAllister the chance to equalise but the visitors eventually got the loose ball clear just before the former Dungannon man was set to pounce.
Andy McGrory had an excellent chance to double Glenavon’s lead when he was put clear of Sean Ward with a long ball however he skewed his shot horribly wide after shooting from an acute angle on the right.
David Jeffrey’s side drew level on 40 minutes. Ivan Sproule broke down the left and lofted a cross which was aided by the wind before falling into the path of Philip Lowry who composed himself before drilling the ball home, right footed, through a crowd of Glenavon players.
The Belfast Blues had an excellent chance to go into the break in the lead on the stroke of half time when Ivan Sproule ran clear but he shot straight at McGrath who did well to make himself big and block the shot.
Moments later, Jamie Mulgrew tried his luck from 23 yards but again McGrath stood up strong and tipped the ball behind for a corner kick.
Half Time: Linfield 1 – 1 Glenavon
Glenavon had a couple of decent chances early in the second half. Tiarnan Mulvenna ran through on 46 minutes but his shot from a tight angle was well blocked by Johnny Tuffey. Minutes later, David Rainey took a wild swipe at a loose ball in the box but the conditions played a major part in him completely missing the ball.
The ball fell kindly to Michael Gault on 63 minutes but the Linfield captain was leaning back as he shaped to hit his shot and the ball sailed harmlessly over McGrath’s crossbar from 20 yards.
A Rhys Marshall back pass on 65 minutes almost resulted in an extraordinary own goal. Keeper McGrath completely misjudged his attempted clearance but the ball dribbled agonisingly wide of the unguarded goal with Ivan Sproule just unable to catch up with it in time to convert.
Linfield took the lead on 73 minutes. Niall Quinn swung a free kick in from the right and the ball landed in the muddy penalty area before being turned home by former Glenavon man Mark Haughey from 5 yards. Not the prettiest goal he’ll ever score, but it could prove to be oh so vital come the end of the season.
Matthew Tipton received the ball on 83 minutes following Jamie Mugrew’s through ball but after a neat turn, his final cut back across the face of goal was missed by two Linfield players on the line.
Into injury time, Philip Lowry could have put the game beyond doubt when he was played in by Waterworth but his chipped finish struck the side netting.
Despite 4 minutes of added time and atrocious conditions, Linfield held on to grab all 3 points and move back to the top of the Danske Bank Premiership. It wasn’t pretty, but it was certainly effective and more never-say-die performances like that will be needed if Linfield are to claw back the Gibson Cup in May.
Full Time: Linfield 2 – 1 Glenavon
Match Images - courtesy of Colm Lenaghan (Pacemaker)
