NI Premiership Round-up - Week 25
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Mark Farren opened his account for Glenavon against Dungannon Swifts in the re-arranged fixtures in the Danske Premier League but couldn’t prevent his side falling to a 2-1 defeat at Stangmore Park on Tuesday night.
The former Derry City striker stabbed home a 41st minute equaliser but Matt Hazely scored his second of the night shortly afterwards and the Swifts held on for three valuable points that moves them a point above Glenavon and into eighth place in the league.
Cliftonville defeated Donegal Celtic to reclaim their nine point advantage at the head of the league but were pushed all the way by a resurgent DC. Stephen Garret scored the only goal of the game after 35 minutes when he was put through by a sublime touch from the in-form, and in-demand, striker Liam Boyce who Reds fans will hope can stay beyond the current transfer window.
Ballinamallard United moved into fourth in the league when they smashed five past Coleraine with the former Longford Town midfielder, Jay McCartney, opening the scoring with a penalty on 26 minutes. An own goal by David Ogilby doubled the advantage before Chris Curran got a brace either side of Ryan Campbell’s deflected shot to complete the rout.
Coleraine snatched a late consolation through David Scullion but the Bannsiders have now taken only one point from the last possible twelve, and conceded five for the second game in a row, which has seen Oran Kearney’s men fall to sixth and glancing nervously over their shoulder as a Gary Twigg inspired Portadown find some form.
Ballymena United are also beginning to discover their feet as a 2-1 win over Glentoran at the Oval made it three games unbeaten for Glenn Ferguson’s side. Alan Teggart put the visitors in front with a penalty on seventeen minutes after Jimmy Callacher fouled Allan Jenkins but Glentoran squandered a chance to equalise when Andrew Waterworth’s penalty crashed off the upright.
Jason Hill converted the third penalty of the night to bring the home side back into the game but Tony Kane won all three points for Ballymena with a ninety minute rocket that flew into the top corner from fully 30 yards.
The match between Lisburn Distillery and Portadown was postponed for a second time due to a frozen playing surface and is now scheduled to take place on Tuesday 22nd January at 19:45.
