IRISH LEAGUE: Second half goals gives Cliftonville the win over Glenavon

Cliftonville 3 Glenavon 0
Kevin Scott / Presseye

Cliftonville's Jason McGuinness scores in action during the game on October 29th 2016, Northern Ireland (Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye)Kevin Scott / Presseye

Cliftonville's Jason McGuinness scores in action during the game on October 29th 2016, Northern Ireland (Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye)
Kevin Scott / Presseye Cliftonville's Jason McGuinness scores in action during the game on October 29th 2016, Northern Ireland (Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye)

Cliftonville stormed past Glenavon with a confident second-half display at Solitude.

Though the scoreline flatters the hosts, they gave the Lurgan Blues a lesson in taking their chances with Jason McGuinness, Ruairi Harkin and Davy McDaid all netting after the interval.

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Home boss Gerard Lyttle made no fewer than seven changes to his starting XI from the line-up that suffered County Antrim Shield elimination against Linfield in midweek; goalkeeper Peter Burke and captain Jason McGuinness returning along with Levi Ives, Martin Donnelly, Daniel Hughes and Jude Winchester, while a pre-match injury to Chris Ramsey saw Jaimie McGovern slotted in at the last minute.

Though Solitude spirits had been relatively high on the back of a winning streak yielded through encouraging performances, consecutive losses to Glentoran and the Blues meant Cliftonville entered the contest hoping a week-long wobble didn’t develop into a more long-term concern at the hands of a Glenavon side that had enjoyed significantly differing fortunes.

Having hammered in-form Ballymena United 5-0 and then dispatched Dungannon Swifts from the Mid-Ulster Cup by the same scoreline – albeit with both teams fielding virtual reserve line-ups – Gary Hamilton’s side visited north Belfast determined to inject some spark into their Premiership title challenge.

Skippered by Paddy McCourt, the Lurgan Blues almost fell behind on eight minutes when a Hughes attempt struck the base of the post before the home striker saw penalty appeals waved away by referee Arnold Hunter, who flashed a yellow card for simulation when Hughes fell under pressure from Kris Lindsay.

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Though the visitors carved out the better of the chances – Mark Sykes and Paddy McCourt denied by Peter Burke – it was Cliftonville who took the lead when McGuinness’ towering header screeched into the top corner just before the hour.

Harkin’s long-range blast doubled the advantage and, when Lindsay and goalkeeper Jonny Tuffey got themselves in a twist, McDaid pounced to wrap things up.

CLIFTONVILLE: Burke, McGovern, Ives, McGuinness, Curran, Knowles, M Donnelly, Hughes, Harkin, Winchester, Cosgrove. Subs: McDaid (for Winchester, 60 mins), Garrett (for Curran, 86 mins), Catney (for Hughes, 83 mins), Lavery, A Donnelly.

GLENAVON: Tuffey, Kelly, Lindsay, Marshall, Cooper, Bradley, Hall, Sykes, McCourt, Martyn, Singleton. Subs: Kilmartin (for Martyn, 46 mins), Marron (for Lindsay, 82 mins), Doyle, McGrory, Moorhouse (for Hall, 65 mins).

REFEREE: Arnold Hunter (Maguiresbridge)

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