Glenavon 2-0 Carrick Rangers
Sammy Clingan’s second half penalty and a late strike from Andrew Mitchell were enough for Glenavon to overcome a bullish Carrick Rangers 2-0 at Mourneview.
Gary Hamilton’s side dominated in almost every aspect of the game, but often struggled to find a way past a tough and resilient Carrick who seemed intent on leaving with a point intact.
In the 3rd minute Mark Sykes played a quick one-two with Mitchell, but upon receiving the return pass he was leaning back just slightly too far and spooned a shot clear of the crossbar.
5 minutes later, Josh Daniels turned quickly and let rip from the edge of the box, sending a left-footed effort sailing over.
Mitchell should have scored in the 11th minute but he sent a header over the bar from 6 yards following some clever footwork and a whipped cross from James Singleton.
Carrick were bedded deep into their own half, and with 22 minutes on the clock Glenavon defender Andrew Doyle was free to surge forwards and remain unmarked at the back post to meet a Mitchell cross, but he could only earn a corner.
James Singleton was also free to get forward as he liked – but he also managed to miss an open net in the 25th minute after an overhit cross from Rhys Marshall bounced back off the crossbar. It fell kindly, but 7 yards from goal he sidefooted a volley harmlessly over the crossbar.
Despite Glenavon’s dominance, it wasn’t until the 35th minute they were able to draw a save from Carrick keeper Harry Doherty, who got down quickly to save a shot from Daniels.
Just 60 seconds later Sykes was sent clear behind the defence but dragged his effort wide from the left.
4 minutes before the break, Glenavon’s Adam Foley tried his luck from distance but his effort fizzed a foot too high and cleared the bar.
The 2nd half began as the first had ended, with Glenavon seeing plenty of the ball but doing little with it. In the 50th minute Andrew Hall’s 25 yard free kick had to be tipped over the bar by Doherty, and Daniels’ effort minutes later was deflected wide.
The deadlock was finally broken when Carrick’s Patrick McNally clumsily hauled down substitute Jordan Jenkins, and Sammy Clingan stepped up to slam home a 65th minute penalty. Doherty guessed correctly in diving to his right and getting a touch, but the Glenavon midfielder’s spot kick had more than enough power.
Carrick quickly carved out an effort in reply, but Andrew Mooney could only fire it straight at Jonathan Tuffey. They also threw on Mikel Suarez as they searched desperately for an equalizer, but failed to find any creative spark. McMullan connected with an Edgar corner to flash a header over the bar in the 82nd minute.
Glenavon should have gone further ahead after Doherty palmed away a powerful Jenkins effort – but Daniels somehow hit the post with the follow-up from about 2 yards. However, Carrick will perhaps feel they should have had a penalty of their own in the 86th minute when Doyle held back Maybin inside the box.
Mitchell settled things in the 87th minute when he collected the ball outside the box, easily shrugged off his man, and fired past Doherty to end any chance of an unlikely Carrick comeback.