Glenavon U12 Match Reports

The boys took an early lead from a goal scored by Cameron Hurley, who neatly placed the ball over the keeper for 1-0.

Glenavon’s back four kept the Saints at bay, until just before half time when they equalised 1-1.

The second half started as the first neat football played by both sides, then a ball from midfield placed into the path of Aaron Atherton who volleyed in for 2-1.

With 15 minutes to go, Glenavon did not sit back they attacked relentlessly but were held back by the Saints defence.

Deadlock Broken in the Nick of Time

Glenavon Steal the Show

The first 10 minutes saw a lack lustre Glenavon side down by two goals, albeit to a disallowed goal, which was called offside after the visitors cleared from their goal mouth, into the path of the on coming Glenavon forwards to scramble the ball into the net.

It seemed to disillusion the lads and it took another ten minutes before O’Keefe shot from twenty yards out to make it 1-2 shortly after the second came from Atherton 2-2 quickly followed by the third from Hurley.

The lads started to regain their confidence neatly passing the ball around, using the width of the field.

The second half started slowly again, Manager John Killen reacted to this by changing the structure to rejuvenate the lads; this had an immediate impact, with the fourth goal created from a corner kick from Jones (M.O.M ) which hit one of the offenders to put in his own net.

The fifth and final goal was put away by Hall, who was busy in the midfield accompanied by Taylor.

J.Killen said, "The lads do need to step it up a gear , but I suppose we can’t complain too much, after all the team has scored 35 goals in the last 4 games and only conceded two".

Reporter - Gary O'Keefe

Glenavon in Cruise Control

The First half of the game saw a well balanced and structured Glenavon side put seven goals past the visitors. A third hatrick from three games to O’Keefe, two goals from Atherton, an own goal and a goal from Casford, which put the game firmly beyond the grasp’s of Wanderers.

It took 15 minutes into the second half, before the goal onslaught started again. The eighth, coming form Doyle, ninth, from Killen the tenth, from Lee.

Taylor (M.O.M). controlled the centre of the park, with fine displays from Killen, whose corner kicks caused all kinds of problems for the Wanderers defence.

Kendrick proved difficult to get past, and the new set up in central defence, with Hurst and Jones was in full control of their section of the pitch.

U12's Manager John Killen said "Patience has been the key, whilst trying to find the strongest formation. The last several games have given me the chance to experiment with the lads playing in different positions and every one has given me 100% co-operation whilst doing this".

Reporter - Gary O'Keefe

Second Goal Rush Puts Boys Back in the Title Race

An early hatrick from Atherton put the game well beyond a battling Delta side.

The 4th goal came from O’Keefe the first of his hatrick the 5th from Hurley, 6th & 7th from O’Keefe, 8th from Howe, 9th from Casford, 10th Killen, 11th Casford.

This may have looked like a one sided game, but you have got to take your hat off to a well disciplined Delta side who never gave up the battle.

Reporter - Gary O'Keefe

Plain Sailing at the Lake for Glenavon

First a message from U12 manager John Killen.

"I wanted to try something different with the lads so I would like to say a special thank you, to those boys who were asked to play out of their normal positions. Not an easy task, but all of you did me proud. No one moaned they just got on with the job and what a job."

Patience was the key factor in the first half. The lads were pressing, looking for weakness in the Hoylake defence.

Finally a goal came from Atherton who headed home a perfectly placed corner from Killen, 1-0.

Hoylake battled hard to keep the boys at bay for the rest of the half.

The second half began with a flourish with the next three goals coming within ten minutes of each other. The first from O’Keefe who slotted his shot with his right foot passed the keeper 2-0 the third again from O’Keefe 3-0.

The fourth came from new signing Hurley (M.O.M) who had an outstanding game.

A second goal for Atherton, made it 5-0. The sixth goal came from Lee who blasted the ball towards goal which deflected of a defender.

The seventh came from O’Keefe who latched on to a Casford cross, volleying home his hat trick.

Lee’s second was from the corner he took, curling the ball around everyone to hit the back side netting. Atherton put the game to bed with his hat trick.

It now seems the lads have got their confidence back, the discipline was superb and team the work was exceptional.

Every player did what was asked of them, and you can not ask for more than that well done Boys.

M.O.M. Hurley

Saints Prove Too Good for Glenavon

A FAMOUS QUOTE FROM A FAMOUS SCOTSMAN (Bill Shankly)

"A lot of football success is in the mind. You must believe that you are the best and then make sure that you are".

A quote which needs to be digested by the majority of the lads, the lack of desire and strength, were the two missing ingredients, which resulted in this defeat.

The strength and desire, in which the Saints showed, harsh words you may think, but without these commitments, it is hard to believe any team would be successful.

To be fair to the Lads, the first 15 minutes were equal with both sides defending well and attacking well, Glenavon's back four were hard at work all game a great performance from them. A.Hurst (M.O.M) and C.K.Hall had their usual game, mopping up through balls, dominating their line and continuous encouragement to the rest of the lads.

A first time at left back for B.Killen looked very encouraging , he read the game very well and broke down most of the Saints attacks on the right.

T.Lee and C.Taylor were hard at work in the midfield, but the Saints had the edge over the whole team.

This team has bounced back from disappointing games like this and I am sure they will again. Heads up boys this is not your first defeat and it wont be your last, remember believe in yourselves, then the rest will follow.

M.O.M. A.Hurst

Glenavon Step Up a Gear

After the last two draws in the league it was important for the lads to get these three points.

With some top of the league clashes today, these were vital points for the squad.

The game started slowly against a 9-man Delta side, who defended with great resilience, until Atherton broke the deadlock.

A second goal from O’Keefe put the whites in a comfortable position.

The lads stepped it up a gear, in the second half. Three more of the goals coming from Atherton and a goal from Doyle, put the game beyond an improved Delta side.

A good start for new manager John Killen, who said it is a pleasure, to manage such a well mannered group of lads and believes when they are up for it they would give any team in this league a run for their money.

M.O.M. B.Casford.

Stalemate at Lingham Park

This was a completely different game to last weeks meeting between these two sides.

Both sides had chances but failed to hit the net. However a disallowed Hart goal bewildered us all on the Glenavon touch line. The question on every ones lips was, "how can a shot be offside?"

I am the first person to support referee’s. They have a hard task on the pitch and do a great job. But unfortunately the game was not allowed to flow.

Every lad on the pitch battled long and hard in a typical end to end football match.

Once again thanks to Upton for welcoming us to Lingham Park.

Glenavon Reach Last Eight of Wirral Cup!

The great form of the Glenavon U12’s continues!

Always the dominant side, Glenavon took the lead in the first 3 minutes with an Atherton goal.

The second came from Jones, the first of his two goals in the game.

Glenavon were comfortable on the ball, passing it with great precision.

Upton pulled a goal back, and had one cleared off the line. However, it was a Glenavon side with more desire and determination that took the honours on the day.

Jones, who had a great game, got his second goal. This was followed by a goal in the last 10 minutes from Lee, who equally had a great game, to put Glenavon securely into the last eight of the competition.

Well done to Upton and thank you for making us welcome at your ground.

The lads were really up for this clash, knowing that two points would put them in the top three.

The game started very evenly. However Olympic, changed the tactics playing the long ball over the top, which resulted in the Sharks getting a suspicious penalty (1-0).

Glenavon battled all through the first half with onslaught after onslaught, but not getting the ball in the net. Half time 0-1.

Glenavon started the second half with a greater desire to win and their reward came with some lovely one touch football and the final pass to O’Keefe to make it 1-1.

The boys were really up for it then, pressurising the Olympic defence but to no avail.

Another over the top ball caught the Glenavon defence off guard. Olympic seized the opportunity to go ahead again 2-1.

With 15 minutes to go Glenavon were given a penalty, the only decision given to them in the whole game. O’Keefe slotted in his second (2-2).

With 2 minutes to go a dreadful decision was made which gave the Sharks a free kick, which sealed the win.

Lets not take anything away from Olympic they are a good side, but on the day, were matched by an equally good Glenavon Side.

A quote from the Sharks Manager "You are the best side we have come up against this season."

We wish them good luck through the rest of the season.

I could not have asked anymore from the lads. You deserve to be in the top three and I believe you will get there.

Well done boys you all should be proud of that performance today.

Glenavon Run Riot....Downhill!

The first half saw Glenavon attacking uphill, against a well organised Irby side, with the Irby Keeper keeping the away side at bay with some superb goal keeping.

Irby failed to take advantage of the slope in the first half after winning the toss at the start. Score 0-0 at half time.

The first of nine goals came from a Glenavon corner which met the head of Hall (MOM) 1-0. The second came from Hart to make it 2-0.

An outstanding performance from Taylor who fed the ball through on several occasions to create some of the goals got his just deserves to get his goal for 3-0. Doyle quickly followed with his first goal for 4-0.

A slight lack of concentration in the back four, their one and only mistake, saw Irby pull one back.

Straight from the kick off Lee punished a delighted Irby side with his first of two goals (5-1).

Hall came up from defence for a corner to get his second of the match (6-1).

Substitute Jones came on to score the first of his two goals 7-1. He then chipped in from a cross from Howe to get his second (8-1). Lee finished the game off with his second goal (9-1).

This was not one way traffic, like the score line indicates, especially in the first half Irby held their own. But a fired up Glenavon side found their feet played great football, which saw them win their 7th game on the run.

Every lad deserves a mention at the back Sullivan (GK) Doyle, Hall, Hurst, Howe, Kendrick (sub) were solid.

The midfield O’Keefe, Killen, Taylor, Lee and Casford dominated this section of the park. Forwards Hart, Atherton and Jones pressurised the Irby defence from the start.

A great game to watch, as the boys did us proud in the end. This is one phrase I won't be sick and tired of saying WELL DONE!!!!!

Double Six for Glenavon

Future See Stars as Glenavon Reach Seventh Heaven

Glenavon started the first 10 minutes very slowly but once they found their footing on a very uneven, uncut, pitch it was one way traffic.

The first goal came from Aron Atherton after the home team failed to clear their lines.

The second came from Ryan O'Keefe (M.O.M). Again Future fumbling the ball in their 6 yard box. The third came from Ryan O’Keefe (3-0).

The second half was very much the same, however a lack of concentration led to Future scoring their only goal.

Lloyd Hart made it 4-1. Atherton, from a neatly crossed corner by Blaine Killen, headed in his second (5-1).

Glenavon were strong in the box again from a corner kick which Tom Lee slotted in the six. An own goal from Future was the final nail in the coffin (7-1).

Considering the pitch condition this was a great performance from the lads.

I refereed the game; it was nice to hear the lads supporting each other, Well done lads.

Glenavon Too Slick for Castrol Youth

The Glen - 7 Oct 2007

After the last couple of week’s reports, it is fantastic to say positive things about the team.

From the start Glenavon played fantastic football, every player holding their position and doing their job, spreading the ball in all directions leaving the opposition bewildered.

The first goal came against the run of play, a lobbed ball into the Glenavon box, going over the keeper.

Glenavon responded almost immediately, with a crossed ball into the path of Ryan O’Keefe who made it 1-1. Ten minutes later Aaron Atherton made it 2-1.

The second half, again dominated by Glenavon, saw the home team level 2-2 with a scrappy goal from the opponents. Again they hit back with a goal from Lloyd hart for 3-2.

M.O.M. Tom Lee fed a wide ball to the left for Ryan O’Keefe to pick up. He drove the ball home from 20 yards out, to make it 4-2; the opponents had no answers from there on in.

Ben Casford made a solo run down the right and shot past the keeper to make it 5-2.

A superb performance by all the lads, well done!! If you maintain that kind of football for the rest of the season, you will be a very hard team to beat.

Stars Snuffed Out

The Glen - 30 Sept 2007

This was a frustrating performance from Glenavon, with players not holding their positions, despite a pre-match talk from the manager.

This was a fine opportunity for the team to show how they can play, however it was basically a shambles from the start.

On a positive note, a through ball to Brad Jones saw the first of his two goals, the second came following a corner kick.

The second half faired no better for Glenavon with players pushing to far up field, all wanting to score.

The third goal came from Lloyd Hart, the fourth from Ben Casford.

Well done to the Stars players for a gutsy performance.

Pythons Strike Too Poisonous

The Glen - 26 Sept 2007

The first half was dominated by the visitors, hitting the cross bar twice and the post once, but finally putting the ball in the net to make it 1-0.

A despondent Glenavon side, pulled a goal back through Lewis Doyle, 1-1.

The second half saw a sharper Pythons side, however they failed to put their chances away. Their second goal came ten minutes into the second half, a ball delivered into the box bounced over the home side keeper for 2-1.

A weary Glenavon side seemed to accept defeat and had no answers to pull the game back level. The final Pythons goal put the game to bed, to say the least. This was a comfortable win by the away side.

A disappointed Glenavon team manager, Gary O'Keefe, said after the final whistle, "Although some of our team tried some were just not at the races. You must remember lads football is about team work. Arguing, passing responsibilities, and just going through the motions will not win you games. Well done to Peninsular Pythons."

Glenavon Held By Greenleas

Leasowe - Sun 16th Sept 2007

Glenavon Hold On to Secure
the Points

The Glen - Sun 9th Sept 2007