Cliftonville

2

Glenavon

3

GLENAVON CLING ON TO SECURE SOLITUDE SPOILS

14th Mar 2015

Glenavon withstood a late Cliftonville revival to claim the points from this visit to Solitude.

The sides traded half chances during the opening half-an-hour with Joe Gormley coming closest for the Reds with a 14th minute effort just over the target whilst Kevin Braniff created Glenavon's best opening with a long range free-kick which ended up just a little too high.

But Braniff went one better on 33 minutes, sending Reds 'keeper Peter Cherrie the wrong way from the spot after an Eoin Bradley shot had been handled by James Knowles.

Either side of the goal Cliftonville threatened through Jay Donnelly and a couple of saved Martin Murray efforts while Knowles saw a free-kick well pushed away.

The Reds were presented with the perfect opportunity to level early in the second half when Glenavon defender Simon Kelly was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area but Gormley could only look on as his subsequent spot-kick was turned around the post by James McGrath.

Glenavon doubled their lead just before the hour with a close range side-foot effort after Braniff had crossed from the left flank.

Then, five minutes after that, Braniff grabbed his second of the afternoon when he received the ball ten yards from goal to send home a strong finish.

Cliftonville grabbed a consolation on 79 minutes courtesy of a Martin Donnelly lob from the edge of the area.

And they set up a grandstand finish just three minutes after that when Knowles reduced the deficit even more with a close range volley.

Cliftonville: Cherrie, McGovern, Scannell, M. Donnelly, Knowles, Winchester, Gormley, Murray, J. Donnelly, Cosgrove, Bonner subs McDaid (replaced J. Donnelly 59), Seydak (not used), Smyth (not used), McMurray (replaced Gormley 74), Keke (replaced Murray 74)

Glenavon: McGrath, Kelly, Kilmartin, Bradley, Patton, McGrory, Marshall, Braniff, Martyn, Elebert, Singleton subs Neill (replaced Patton 68), Lindsay (not used), O'Brien (replaced Bradley 90+1), Drylie (replaced Braniff 90+2), Lynch (not used)

Referee: Raymond Crangle

Attendance: 1063

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