Round 2

Glenavon 10 (Mernock 3, Malone 2, Attah 2, Mc Adam 2, Barnes)
New Brighton Saints 3

For a good part of the first half this was a difficult game for Glenavon, particularly with the game poised at 2-2. However Glenavon stepped up a gear at the start of the second half and crucially put their chances away and eventually made a place in the semi finals safe.

Semi Final

Glenavon - 16
(Mernock 4, Malone 3, Mc Adam 2, Jones 2, Howe 2, Attah, Sundve, Kelly)
Wirral Rangers - 0

A place in the Challenge Cup Final was secured without to much worry by Glenavon on Sunday, again due to some clinical finishing. The team was settled very early when Callum Mernock brushed through a couple of defenders to score the first of his four goals and settle the side down, this was then backed up with further highlights including a great headed goal by Sean Mcadam who also got another from close range.

A goal direct from a corner by Alex Kelly, and great run and finish from midfield by Jacob Malone who also went on to complete a hatrick of confident finishes, Jimmy Howe showed great instinct to be in the right place to tuck home two goals from close range and two late strikes by Alex Jones enhanced his ability as a goal scoring full back.

Lewis Attah had to wait till late on to get his goal that his hard work deserved and the other goal was a great run and finish by Liam Sundve who had caused the Wirral full back trouble all game.

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)

Go on then give me a clue, how can the team run one of the potential league champions so close one week, and then look so ragged the week later, but that was today’s conundrum.

Credit to Greenleas they were well structured and battled really hard for every ball and made this a very tight game, and also a very bumpy pitch with long grass didn’t allow good football.

That said today was not a lesson in taking chances, Aaron Steen shot wide from close range, Callum Mernock hit the keeper when through one on one and so it went on. Matty Hughes went close with a great long range effort and eventually a goal arrived. Callum Mernock picked the ball out wide he cut past one defender and when it looked better to pass he had the confidence to beat the next man as well and slot home at the keepers near post to give us a one goal half time lead.

The second half again saw Lewis Attah go through twice but unfortunately not score, Jimmy Howe found the keeper with his shot when he got free and a header from Mernock went just wide.

By now fingernails were being chewed as Greenleas pushed for an equaliser, when the trusted route of an Alex Kelly corner found Sean McAdams head and the skipper planted his header home and gave the team breathing space.

Sometimes you just have to win ugly and be happy to take the points and that was the case today.

The opposition Man of the Match went to Danny Lamb, who worked very hard in midfield trying to get the ball down and forward on a very bumpy pitch

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)

Those people that read these reports know I don’t often resort to the Neil Warnock approach and bemoan our luck, however I am going to make an exception this time as the lads played so well they deserved a draw today.

That said it took two outstanding saves form David Roberts in our goal to keep us level. The first I believe is termed a “worldy” when he plucked a header that was flying into the top corner away to safety. The second a point blank save on the goal line.

Having got over that initial pressure the boys pushed hard and following a great run by Harry Barnes he beat two men and was eventually pulled down by the keeper for a penalty.
Callum Mernock stepped up and slotted the ball away comfortably to give Glenavon a half time lead.

Unfortunately the second half did not start well as we conceded early a good ball out on the left was not cleared, and the manor player unleashed a great shot from outside the box that dipped in under the bar.

Chances were created by both teams as the second half was a great battle and looked to be heading towards a draw but with two minutes left a long ball forward was saw a lack of communication between two Glenavon players and the manor striker nipped in to tap the ball into the net and secure the points.

Hard to take, but a learning experience for all. Everybody contributed to the game and gave their all so would be unfair to pick out anybody in particular.

The opponents Man of the Match went to David Roberts for his two outstanding saves

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)

The Statisticians went searching the record books and it’s confirmed that today’s result was the biggest in this group of player’s history, and included the most Hat tricks in a game as well.

For the most part team discipline was preserved in a performance that had many individual highs and a few landmarks for certain players.

When Jacob Malone headed the team in front from close range who would have expected that the club website would need extra memory space to cope with the details of this game, and as a consequence here are the edited highlights.

Danny Lamb had not found the net this season so he was celebrated with some serious badge kissing when he turned home an Alex Jones cross from just inside the box to open his account, he then doubled his total for the season when he timed a great run late into the box to slide in and fire home another Alex Jones cross.

Alex Jones had also not troubled the goal scorers charts this season, but he responded with an excellent hat trick, the first a powerful drive from the edge of the box with a goal that was worth the wait, the second he played a one-two on the edge of the box and slotted home like an accomplished striker, and the final goal saw another great drive from just inside the box.

The other hat tricks were from Lewis Attah who scored five, three of these down to his pace as he out ran the defenders on each occasion, steadied himself and placed the ball home, the other two being real strikers goals by being in the right place at the right time to twice turn the ball home as it bounced loose in the box. It really should have been a double hat trick but we will come to that.

Aaron Steen hit a hat trick, showing why he was top scorer last year, again three confident finishes as he got himself in behind the defence with some well timed runs, took a touch composed himself and powered the ball home confidently on each occasion

The foUrth hat trick went to Harry Barnes, who in the first half felt nothing went right for him in front of goal, but he put that behind him in the second with three successive goals, two good strikes from just inside the box, and the best being the last when he ran from the half way line before powering home into the roof of the net from just inside the box

Hat trick number five went to second half sub Callum Mernock arriving early back from injury, he scored within a minute of coming on with the first of  two close range finishes, with his best goal coming with a run from wide right beating two defenders and slotting home.

Other scorers on the day were Jimmy Howe with two goals, the best being a fine strike as he arrived late at the back post to slot home in the corner, and two quality strikes from defenders the first by Ben Eastwood as he also ran from the half way line to draw the keeper and slot home, and a net buster from Matty Hughes whose fine strike from the edge of the box was only going to end up in one place.

That aside it would be wrong not to refer to an item on Soccer AM called “Taxi” which honours fantastic missed chances or mistakes, and during the game three Taxis were called for, I will not name the players, people should ask around and see if they own up, all three were called a Taxi for the same offence - each had an open goal, the ball at their feet in the six yard box and nobody around them, and each managed to hit the cross bar.

The opponents Man of the Match rightly went to Alex Jones, who ended his goal drought with three goals, set up a number of others and put in quality left back performance that will have Fabio Capello and Cheryl Cole trying to see who gets him first.

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)

Despite a strong second half performance the team could not find the break through against Olympic and were unfortunately suffered only their third defeat of the season.

Olympic were the quicker to settle and too the lead when a cross was allowed to bounce in the box and before it could be cleared was turned home.

The game could have been over by half time were it not for David Roberts who made two unbelievable point blank saves as again the ball was not cleared, and those save meant the boys went in only a goal down.

The second half was building into a good competitive match when Alex Kelly put in a great challenge on the Olympic striker on the edge of the box and as the ball broke to the keeper this was somewhat surprisingly adjudged to be a back pass. Olympic chose to take a quick free kick inside the box and David saved well, only for the ball to be brought back and Olympic given the kick again. This time a well worked short free kick saw them increase their lead and effectively kill the game off.

Matty Hughes went close before the end for Glenavon, but a strong Olympic team came close also to extending their lead and saw the game home.

Again with Players missing options were limited, but the boys competed well in the second half, and it took a debatable decision to change the initiative of the game.

David Roberts was outstanding in goal, but for an excellent game standing in at right back, the opposition Man of the match went to Steve Ainslie who is getting better with every game he plays.

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)

People call it deja vu when you think you have watched something before, well today was one of those days. After going to Birmingham on Saturday and watching Everton surrender a two goal lead, who would have thought less then 24 hours later I would watch the same occurrence, but I did!
That said the team came flying off the blocks and hit Hoylake twice early on to seemingly take control of the game.

The first came from an Alex Kelly corner which was met perfectly by Sean McAdam at the back post who powered his header home to give Glenavon the lead. The second came quickly after when a long ball by Jake Malone was chased down by Louis Attah and he put the ball past the advancing keeper for a two goal lead

The game then changed mid way through the first half, with Glenavon on the attack a great cross by Jimmy Howe played in Aaron Steen who could not beat the keeper to add to the lead, straight from the keeper the ball was played  up field and a shot hit the arm of Matty Hughes and was adjudged to be a penalty, which was slotted home for 2-1

Hoylake grabbed the initiative and equalized just before half time when a run from midfield went unchallenged and the ball was struck home for 2-2 at half time.

With a couple of players missing, and one out through injury , the team was further weakened by two more injuries that meant the team had to play a fair amount of the second half with ten men, but the boys dug in and indeed created a couple of chances at the end that may have seen Glenavon pinch the win.

The boys fought well in the second half and provided a battling performance against a good Hoylake side that has ensured very little between the teams each time we play.

Some good individual performances, particularly Jake Malone and Steve Ainslie, but the opposition Man of the match went to Sean McAdam for another accomplished performance at the centre of defence, as well as 20 minutes at left back.

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)

Whilst the score line implies a comfortable win for Glenavon, the truth of the matter remains the poor state of the Arrowe Park pitch, that makes a farmers field look like a premier league pitch. The sad outcome is that both sides could not play football on a pitch that made the ball bobble and bounce every time somebody tried to play the ball along the ground, and sit up when a player tried to kick it.

That said the boys got off to a flier, Sean McAdam went close with a header in the first minute, with the first goal coming soon after. A corner by Alex Kelly was flicked on by Callum Mernock and as the ball bobbled in the box, it was turned home by Steve Ainslie from close range.

Chances then came and went with Jimmy Howe and again Steve Ainslie going close. Glenavon had to wait till late in the half to increase their lead. An indirect free kick on the edge of the box was rolled by Jimmy Howe to Callum Mernock who blasted the ball low into the corner of the net. 2-0 at half time.

Glenavon came out stronger in the second half and took a more direct approach which worked well. A long ball by Danny Lamb played in Louis Attah who ran past the last man and slotted the ball home very calmly for 3-0

He repeated the same calm finish in a near identical move that this time saw Jake Malone play him in and Louis finished well again

Chances again came and went as Alex Kelly hit the bar, Danny Lamb had a good shot from distance, and Jimmy Howe saw one stick in the mud when he looked as if he was going to get a tap in.

The fifth arrived following a great run by Callum Mernock, cutting in from the left he beat his marker and drilled the ball across the keeper and into the roof of the net for 5-0

Five became six late on as Louis Attah completed an excellent second half hat trick, this time he picked up a pass from Callum Mernock beat the last defender for pace, steadied himself and then powered the ball high into the roof of the net to complete the scoring.

A mixed day, a good score line, but again I know the team can play better, and with some very difficult games ahead to ensure we finish a high as possible the team must continue to strive for the improvement that I know is there.

Opponents man of the match went to Ben Eastwood who not only did all he needed when defending but drove forward at every opportunity to support the attack and provide some quality balls into the box

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)

On a very difficult Arrowe Park playing surface, both teams struggled to play any real football due to the poor state of the pitch and were left with a point a piece as Delta scored late on to draw the game.

The game had started well for Glenavon as they took the lead when a long ball forward left the Delta defence and goalkeeper in two minds and Callum Mernock reacted the quickest by lifting the ball over the advancing keeper from the edge of the box for a great finish.

Glenavon had a chance to increase the lead when a good ball forward was chased down by Aaron Steen, he beat the last defender only to be brought down by the keeper for a penalty. Unfortunately Callum Mernock who had previously been so reliable from the spot went for power and the keeper saved, with Harry Barnes putting the follow up wide.

Delta came back into the game and equalized when they found a whole in the Glenavon backline and slotted home. 1-1 at Half Time

The second half was a good battle as legs started to get tired in the mud bath of a pitch, but Glenavon found the opening to regain the lead, good work on the edge of the box firstly by Liam Sundve who fed Callum Mernock, he beat his marker to play in Jacob Malone who hit the ball home low past the keeper

It looked as if Glenavon would hold out for the win when another long ball went all the way through to the Delta striker who rolled the ball home.

As Glenavon were recovering from that blow they nearly lost the game when only a brilliant clearance off the line by Alex Kelly stopped all the points going to Delta

It was a bad day at the office for the boys with an under par performance, not helped by a couple of players being unavailable and a couple of boys feeling under the weather, but credit to Delta for taking the game to us in the second half

That said some good performances, Aaron Steen looked sharp, Jake Malone and Liam Sundve played well in midfield, and Steve Ainslie had a great game at right back.

The opponent’s managers Man of the match went to Alex Kelly for denying his team all the points with his goal line clearance.

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)

A good solid performance by the team, quickly put last weeks defeat behind them and continued to demonstrate that on their day they will give anybody a match.

Glenavon came quickly out of the blocks and hit Hoylake with two quick goals. The first came from a corner won by Liam Sundve following a great run down the right. Alex Kelly put in a great delivery which was met by Ben Eastwood who powered his header home. The second came before Hoylake had time to settle as a long ball from Alex Jones was chased down by Callum Mernock, as he challenged with the keeper and the last defender the ball fell perfectly to Liam Sundve who drove home his first goal of the season. Hoylake upped their work load and the remainder of the half became a competitive midfield battle with few chances created.

The second half started as the first finished, with some good football played by both sides, and no quarter given in the tackles that went in. Hoylake reduced Glenavon's lead with 20 minutes to go, but the side quickly picked themselves up and pushed forward again.

A good corner by Harry Barnes was cleared back out to him, and he delivered a fantastic return cross that Lewis Attah got a flick header onto and the ball flew into the net to restore the two goal advantage,

Glenavon continued to push on, and the forth goal arrived following a good ball from Matty Hughes that played in Callum Mernock, he outpaced the last defender took the ball around the advancing keeper and scored from a tight angle via the underside of the bar.

This was a sold performance built from the back were Sean Mc Adam and Alex Kelly were outstanding at were supported by great performances from Ben Eastwood and Alex Jones. All the midfield players contributed with a high work rate, and ability to put a foot in were it mattered.

Man of the match though was Matty Hughes, who held the centre of midfield with some strong tackling, but made a number of great runs forward that created opportunities for the team and supported the strikers.

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)

After the severe weather imposed mid season break, the boys finally managed to get on a football pitch and begin to shake off the Christmas excess of too much chocolate while playing far too much ‘Call of Duty’, Whilst a healthy turnout of parents braved the cold to provide some great vocal encouragement.

As expected it was a rusty start by the boys against a very competitive Wallasey side who pushed hard in the early stages.

Ten minutes in a good run down the right by Liam Sundve saw him deliver a great cross that bobbled in the box and was met expertly by Jacob Malone who slammed the ball home via the underside of the bar.

Despite pushing on, the lead was soon lost when a good Wallasey free kick found its way into the net.

The game was close at this stage with both teams looking to regain the lead; Glenavon came close when an Aaron Steen cross was flicked over the keeper by Jimmy Howe but he saw the ball come back off the post. It was not long before he put that right when a good Danny Lamb through ball played Jimmy Howe in and he placed his shot beyond the advancing keeper to give Glenavon a 2-1 half time lead.

Unfortunately a slow start saw Wallasey again equalize straight after the restart, and Glenavon had to rebuild , and the game was again tight.

The lead was regained when an excellent corner by Harry Barnes saw the ball cleared off the line but as the ball was allowed to bobble around in the box it was turned home from close range by Matty Hughes who reacted the quickest.

The forth goal arrived from a similar move, this time a good near post corner by Harry Barnes was attacked by Jacob Malone whose marker left him to allow him to volley home at the near post.

Glenavon's game was now starting to fall into place as they continued to push forward, and the fifth was not far behind. Liam Sundve again ran at the Wallasey full back and his pass was turned into the path of Jimmy Howe by Callum Mernock and from a tight angle Jimmy steadied himself and drilled the ball across the keeper into the corner of the net.

The game was then sown up by two goals for Callum Mernock the first saw him played in by Danny Lamb he outpaced the last defender, drew the keeper and slotted the ball home. Glenavon’s seventh and his second came from the penalty spot, a good ball by Harry Barnes on the left allowed Callum to turn the defender and run in on goal, as he did he was adjudged to have been pushed in the back for a penalty. He got up and powered home the spot kick

With the Christmas pudding now out of their system, the boys looked better as the game went on. Good performance from all involved, the three lads who got two goals a piece , from Matty Hughes who stood in at centre back expertly and marked it with a goal, and Danny Lamb in the centre of midfield.

The opponent’s man of the match went to Sean McAdam, who stood strong in defence, and put in a number of saving tackles

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)

As Arrowe Park begins to deteriorate with the weather so does the opportunity for the team to get the ball down and play football. On a very heavy pitch churned up by it being used in the morning the team had to work very hard in the centre of the pitch to often dig the ball out of the mud and knock the ball around. A very competitive first half saw half chances for both teams before the deadlock was broken when Jimmy Howe fed Louis Attah who ran the ball into the New Brighton box and crossed for Callum Mernock who took a touch and stroked the ball home.

The second half again saw chances going begging, Callum Mernock went through on the New Brighton keeper took the chance early beating the keeper but also the far post. Matty Hughes then turned well in the box but lifted the ball over the bar. The second goal arrived following a good cross from Steve Ainslie which bounced lose in the box and was turned home from close range by Louis Attach. Steve Ainslie made the game safe when he again cut in from the right beat his marker and finished perfectly into the bottom corner. Some late pressure by New Brighton was dealt with well by David Roberts, and the game was sealed just towards the end when Louis Attah outpaced the defence as he chased down a long ball from Danny Lamb and steered it brilliantly under the keeper.

The team played well on a heavy ground to secure the points, the defence marshaled by Alex Kelly and Sean Mcadam withstood the early pressure, along with full backs Alex Jones and Ben Eastwood ensured another clean sheet, and the midfield worked hard to close down in heavy conditions and get the ball forward early.

The opposition manager identified the Glenavon strikers for the man of the match award and ultimately gave it to Louis Attah.

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)

This was a tough game, played in a very competitive spirit but sadly ruined by very strong winds that reduced the ability to play any real kind of football.

Kicking with the wind in the first half Wallasey made the early running and pushed Glenavon into a rear guard action, and testing David Roberts in goal from some distance. Having weathered the early pressure a great run by Liam Sundve down the right saw the ball evade everybody leaving Matty Hughes with what looked a tap in, but unfortunately he began his goal celebration before putting the ball home and the scores remained level. However it did not take him long to get Glenavon into the lead by volleying home an Alex Kelly corner. Wallasey pushed again and deservedly equalized with a good header from a corner, and as Wallasey pushed for a second they were frustrated by a number of excellent saves by David Roberts in the Glenavon goal, and then unfortunately Glenavon caught them on the break, again fine work by Liam Sundve saw his deep cross headed home by Harry Barnes from the edge of the six yard box.

With the wind behind them in the second half Glenavon scored again soon after the restart when an Alex Kelly corner hit the bar and Callum Mernock was well placed to head home the rebound. The forth arrived as Lewis Attah chased down a long ball forward, took a touch and then placed the ball into the far corner of the net with the outside of his boot for a fine goal. The last goal saw a long free kick unfortunately dropped by the keeper, and as Jimmy Howe closed him down the ball again fell lose for Jimmy to roll the ball home.

Jimmy was denied another by a bad bobble when after good work by Callum Mernock to beat his marker and drive into the box, his square ball looked a tap in opportunity but the pitch ensured it wasn’t

There was still time for another great save by David Roberts, before a gutsy performance in poor conditions saw Glenavon home.

Wallasey gave man of the match to David Roberts for an outstanding performance in goal that in my opinion turned the game at the end of the first half, but credit also to Alex Jones, Matty Hughes, and Callum Mernock, who as well as David, all played despite being ill prior to the game.

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)

The match saw all members of the squad get a good portion of the game, and all contributed to a fine victory. A couple of early chances went begging before Glenavon got their first goal after 10 minutes. Harry Barnes cutting in from the left wing to drill a great shot into the roof of the net. This was quickly followed by a long ball over the top which was collected by Lewis Attah and put away well into the bottom corner. The third arrived with a great ball from Jimmy Howe to Callum Mernock who took the ball on and blasted past the keeper. Best goal of the half arrived following a great run by Ben Eastwood from the right back position going the full length of the pitch to cross perfectly for Harry Barnes to volley home. 4-0 Half Time to Glenavon.

Wallasey came out well second half and pushed forward well, but a fifth arrived when Matty Hughes was well placed to turn home Alex Kelly’s corner. Wallasey reduced the score line with a well flighted free kick, but Glenavon responded well following good work by Scott Harrison who ran the ball into the box and set up Jake Malone to finish into the bottom corners.

Scott then got two goals for himself the first following another great dribble into the box and a fine finish into the corner, which was then followed by the best goal in the second half following a great run by Aaron Steen his cross was met well by Scott Harrison who beat the keeper to the cross to head home.

The ninth was as a result of a great cross again by Aaron Steen who saw the ball unfortunately turned into his own net by the keeper; the tenth saw a Ben Eastwood get a goal his hard work deserved when he headed home another Alex Kelly corner.

The final goal saw Aaron Steen beat the offside trap before taking the ball on and firing well under the keeper.

A comprehensive victory, but credit to the Wallasey Vipers who never gave up and played some good football at times.

Opposition manager gave Man of the Match to Ben Eastwood, who was a worthy winner

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)

Glenavon came within minutes of victory against the League Champions of the last two years only have the game snatched from them in the final few minutes.

In an excellent performance by the team in windy conditions at Upton Park, Glenavon created the clearer chances through out the game but in the end could not hold out to claim the victory their performance on the balance of play deserved.

Glenavon took an early lead when a long Alex Kelly ball landed beyond the Upton backline; it was chased down by Callum Mernock who perfectly lobbed the ball over the advancing goalkeeper to put Glenavon a goal up.

With the wind behind them Glenavon created two more clear chances which unfortunately were not taken. Firstly Callum Mernock again got beyond the last defender and as he closed in on goal the Upton keeper was quickly off his line to narrow the angle and save well. This was followed by another great move down the left when Alex Jones who had an outstanding game played in Jimmy Howe, Jimmy turned the defender to set up a clear shot on goal; but again Upton keeper Ben Forshaw Murphy made a great save.

After having a lot of the first half possession, and looking to go in a goal up, a cross into the Glenavon box was harshly judged to have hit a Glenavon arm and a penalty was awarded. The kick was struck well but superbly saved by David Roberts in the Glenavon goal diving full length to his right.

The second half saw Upton attack with the wind and look to get the ball forward as soon as possible which brought about the equalizer when Ally Pitt finished well from a tight angle. With Upton looking for a second Glenavon dug in a continued to push forward and create chances. A great through ball by Steve Ainslie set up Callum Mernock on the edge of the box who saw his drive beat the keeper but come back off the post. It looked as if his luck was out but some good work down right by Aaron Steen saw his cross avoid two defenders on the edge of the box and reach Callum Mernock who smashed the ball home in off the upright to regain the lead. It could have been three when Matty Hughes broke free but his shot on goal was again saved by the keeper.

With the minutes ticking by a long ball into the Glenavon box led to a scramble and the ball eventually fell to Joe Murray to score.

This was a great performance by the boys, which I believe deserved more, but that’s football as they say. Many positives from David’s performance in goal, great defending by the back four against the wind , a solid midfield performance by everybody , and a couple of quality goals by the striker.

So many candidates for Man of the Match, but Upton chose Alex Kelly who did not put a foot wrong all day

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)

I had no doubt the Team would bounce back from last week and they did so in style to continue their journey within the Cheshire Cup. Against unknown opponents in Brookvale from Runcorn, the team went out fired up and took the lead after 10 minutes when Sean McAdam met an Alex Kelly corner to power the ball home with his head. Brookvale responded well and pushed hard to get an equalizer five minutes later when a cross into the box fell lose and was turned home from close range.

The test was how the boys would respond, and they did with 3 goals in quick succession. Within a minute of Brookvale scoring Aaron Steen burst through the defence to square the ball to Callum Mernock to roll the ball home. Another Alex Kelly corner was met by Ben Eastwood whose header as saved but Callum Mernock was on hand to crash home the rebound, and a forth goal came via the head of Matty Hughes who again attacked a great cross to score with some power.

The second half saw a few changes to the team, but no change to the outcome with four more unanswered goals. First Ben Eastwood scored with a great header that gave the keeper no chance, this was quickly followed by Louis Attah’s first goal for the club as he closed down a long ball forward took a touch and fired past the keeper for 6-1. The seventh was again down to Louis Attah’s pace as he got onto another long ball to square the ball into the box and it was unfortunately turned into his own net by the Brookvale defender. Number eight was scored by Jimmy Howe who got his reward after taking down a Steve Ainslie cross on the edge of the box and firing back across the keeper into the corner of the net. The last Glenavon goal was again via a long ball which  sat up perfectly for David Roberts who let the ball drop and controlled a great shot into the roof of the net.

Brookvale scored again late on to make the score 9-2, but Glenavon had assured their passage into the next round, and achieved this with contributions from the whole squad.

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)

A disappointing afternoon as Glenavon went out of the cup on the lottery that is penalties.

In a first half when the team saw a lot of the ball, but failed to turn any real possession into clear chances it took an excellent strike from Scott Harrison who picked the ball up on the edge of the penalty area and curled the ball brilliantly around the Hoylake keeper into the corner of the net to break the deadlock in the first half and send Glenavon in a goal up.

Hoylake pushed much harder in the second half, but similar to the first half with Glenavon created half chances, and shots from distance. As it looked as if Glenavon were going to hang on , with a couple of minutes to go Hoylake broke into the box and steered a shot under the keeper to send the game into extra time.

With very little between two well matched teams, as with normal time, it was no surprise that extra time again only produced chances from set pieces or distance, which went begging for both sides, and off we went to penalties.

For Glenavon Callum Mernock, Sean McAdam and Scott Harrison scored as Glenavon elected to take the first kick, unfortunately Matty Hughes struck the bar with his kick and Jimmy Howe fired his just wide. Hoylake for there part hit four excellent penalty kicks into the corner of the net and took the contest 4-3

It was disappointing but credit goes to the boys who were prepared to put their hand up and volunteer to take the kicks, it takes guts to do that and I admire them for doing so. Even the worlds best players miss and we now move on to the Cheshire cup next week to put things right

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)

Glenavon showed the perfect response to their midweek defeat by coming back strongly and beating Greenleas. Whilst the score line eventually made the game look comfortable Greenleas early on provided some strong resolve ,and could have scored the first goal had a square ball that would have led to a tap in not been intercepted, but from that point on Glenavon turned the screw and took their chances. The first came after 15 minutes when a great through ball from Jake Malone found Callum Murdock on the edge of the box he took the ball into the penalty area and fired past the advancing keeper. The second goal was a carbon copy only this time the ball was supplied by Matty Hughes and Callum Mernock again took the ball on and fired past the keeper, further chances fell to Danny Lamb and Scot Harrison but the team turned around with the score 2-0

Glenavon got themselves real breathing space soon into he second half as good work by Aaron Steen played in Scot Harrison to get his first goal for the club as he evaded the last defender to fire home. The team was now enjoying the time they had on the ball and after great work by Steve Ainslie he fed the ball to David Roberts who struck a great effort but his shot came back off the bar and Callum Mernock controlled the rebound and fired it back across the keeper to complete his hat trick and put Glenavon 4 up.

Further chances fell to Jake Malone who was unlucky with a header and Danny Lamb who again threatened to score before the last game of the season with an overhead kick that shaved the post.

Scott Harrison added a fifth and his second with a strong cross shot into the bottom corner after being played in by Callum Mernock, and Callum Mernock got his forth and Glenavon’s sixth after good work from Liam Sundve down the left played him in to fire home into the corner.

The last few minutes became scrappy as, positions were lost and players pushed forward to try and add to the score, but a great response by the team and a thoroughly deserved victory.

Again a solid performance at the back, and some creative football from midfield, particularly from Steve Ainslie. Callum Mernock confidently took his chances and that’s all you want from your strikers.

The opposition Manager chose Scott Harrison as man of the match, who got his first goals for the club and had a very creative game.

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)

Despite a much improved second half performance Glenavon could not find an equalizer, and went down to their first defeat of the season against a strong Olympic side. It was Olympic who were quickest out of the blocks and settled into their game first going close on a number of occasions, including striking the crossbar with a great volley. Glenavon battled well without producing the football I know they can play and got to half time with the game goal less.

Unfortunately before the team could settle into the second half they found themselves a goal down as the result of an excellent overhead kick following a cross n from the right. Glenavon responded very well to going behind and pushed Olympic back for the majority of the second half but could not turn the possession into an equalizer, despite Sean McAdam keeping them in the game with a fantastic penalty save diving to his right to turn away a well struck spot kick

Despite the defeat the team can be pleased with their second half performance, with Alex Kelly and Ben Eastwood having great games at the back, along with some midfield grit provided by Danny Lamb, Jake Malone and Matty Hughes. Additionally to David Roberts who came in at right back in the second half and had a superb game.

Opposition managers M.O.M went to Sean McAdam who had a great first half at centre back and following an injury a wonderful second half in goal.

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)

Glenavon got there league campaign off to the best possible start with a hard fought victory against Delta Colts.

Glenavon had a lot of the ball in the first half but failed to turn much of the possession into clear chances. Most of the threat on the Delta goal came from set pieces with Callum Mernock heading over an Alex Kelly corner, and from another corner saw the Delta Keeper made a great save from a Ben Eastwood shot on his line.

The second half saw more Glenavon pressure, but again both midfields were tackling well and breaking up any football that was being played and so limiting any clear chances, but the eventual winning goal came 15 minutes from the end and just after a loud shout for a penalty to Glenavon had been turned down.

Again from a set piece, a deep  Alex Kelly corner was met with great power by Matty Hughes who left the keeper and the defender on the line with no chance as he buried his header into the net.

A bit of late pressure was dealt with well by the Gleanavon defense, and saw the team through to its first league win.

The opposition man of the match was given to Sean McAdam who just shaded the decision from Alex Kelly and Matty Hughes.

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)

Straight in at the deep end for the boys as the new season opens with a very tricky Cheshire Cup tie against Shore Villa, and after a few rusty periods in the game the team finally took their chances late on to seal a good victory and progress to the next round.

With a few new players added to the squad, and a couple of positional changes the side took a short period of time to settle down. The first real chance fell to Liam Sundve who skipped around a few tackles and shot slightly over the bar. Next Jimmy Howe got round his marker perfectly but unfortunately found the keeper with his attempt on Goal.

The first goal finally arrived after 20 minutes a deep corner from Alex Kelly was headed towards goal by Sean McAdam and nudged into the net by debutant Matty Hughes who has claimed the goal following a players meeting that evening at the Liverpool Echo Arena!

The second half saw more Glenavon pressure but unfortunately the chances would not go in. Two more Alex Kelly corners caused trouble and Callum Mernock got himself clear only to hit the on rushing keepers legs.

The game appeared to turn with 15 minutes to go when Shore Villa equalized with a great strike from a free kick and took the momentum of the game their way for the next ten minutes but with five minutes to go Matty Hughes made a great run into the box and was brought down from behind as he was about to play the ball across the goal. Callum Mernock took the resulting penalty which the keeper saved with his feet but Callum reacted quickest to fire home the rebound.

Two more chances went begging as first Callum Mernock hit the post and then Danny Lamb, whose goals are a very rare thing in past seasons, had the chance to open his account very early on only to see his shot go wide.

The game was sealed with a minute to go when another corner fell loose in the box and was turned home from the edge of the six yard box by Callum Mernock

Some solid performances all round particularly Ben Eastwood, who left a family party to ensure he played, a solid debut by Matty Hughes, who was supported well by Jake Malone and Danny Lamb in midfield.

Report - Nick Mernock (Manager)