Poor day at the office for Stute

Despite losing heavily the Waterside men did have opportunities to take the lead and if they had have taken any of their early chances, it may have been a different out-come.

But in truth it was a case of two goalkeepers having different displays, at one end Alan Blayney made big saves at crucial times in the game, while unfortunately for Stute, Eugene Ferry had a disappointing afternoon.

Blayney was called into action on six minutes when he raced off his line to keep out Stephen O’Flynn’s close range strike and Stephen Curry’s follow-up effort flew well over.

Moments later he did well to keep out Paddy McLaughlin’s close range strike, after Mark Scoltock’s aerial challenge caused problems in the Glenavon penalty box.

More super goalkeeping by Blayney on 22 minutes resulted in O’Flynn’s 20 yard curling effort having to be turned onto the crossbar by the fully stretched Glenavon net-minder.

Soon after the visitors had a great a chance to take the lead but Ciaran Martyn’s close range header was saved by Ferry, after Kris Lindsay’s header fell to the midfielder inside the six yard box.

Gary Hamilton’s side took the lead somewhat against the run of play on 33 minutes after some terrible goalkeeping by Ferry.

Kevin Braniff’s left wing cross should have been easily gathered by Ferry, but the keeper punched the ball clear, unfortunately the ball fell perfectly into Eoin Bradley’s path and the striker made no mistake.

Moments later a high ball into the Glenavon box by Lee Toland resulted in Blayney dropping the cross while under pressure from O’Flynn, but the keeper’s blushes were saved as Curry blazed over.

Right on the stroke of half-time Ciaran Caldwell missed a golden chance to double the Lurgan men’s lead but he fired over after Bradley had set-up the midfielder with the opportunity.

Glenavon came out like a house on fire after the break and their ten minute blitz which seen them fire home three goals before the hour mark, ended the game as a contest.

Firstly on 52 minutes defender Gareth McKeown was quickest to react to a loose ball inside the Stute penalty box and he blasted home past Ferry.

A long throw-in by McKeown caused more problems in the Stute penalty box, but the unmarked Rhys Marshall saw his shot hit the post.

Glenavon did add a third on 56 minutes the dangerous Braniff broke clear down the left before seeing his teasing cross find his strike partner Bradley, who easily fired past Ferry.

More disappointing defending by Stute resulted in Glenavon adding a fourth on 61 minutes when Martyn, who looked suspiciously in an offside position, turned the ball home.

Paul Kee’s side did fire home a consolation goal on 68 minutes when substitutes Declan McKeever and Jordan Armstrong combined, with the youngster chesting the ball down inside the six yard box before firing past Blayney.

In the closing stages both sides had chances with Martyn going close again and Armstrong’s cross-cum-shot, which had Blayney beaten, clipped the crossbar.

Institute: Ferry, McLaughlin, Scoltock, Crown; Toland (McKeever 62), Walsh, Henderson, Young (Armstrong 62); Curry, O’Flynn, Doherty (McFadden 81).

Glenavon: Blayney, McKeown, Murphy (McCallion 41), Lindsay, Marshall; McNamee (Hamilton 75), Martyn, McCabe (Kilmartin 75), Caldwell; Braniff, Bradley.

Referee: Mr Mervyn Smyth (Dundonald).