Glenavon frontman Ryan Waide stands out in front as leading Championship scorer but not even individual excellence can excuse him from collective demands.

Waide’s ninth goal in eight league appearances has put the summer signing top of the second-tier scoring charts and he delivered his latest defining touch with a decisive near-post flick on Saturday as Glenavon got back to winning ways.

That victory arrived following a defeat and draw plus against a Newington side still at the head of the league standings but no longer standing with an unbeaten record.

The 26-year-old Waide produced the one big talking point at Mourneview Park on Saturday but that 1-0 victory was played out against the constant backdrop of encouragement and advice from the sidelines.

placeholder image — Ryan Waide has enjoyed a strong start in front of goal to life with Glenavon. (Photo by Glenavon Media/Jayden Smyth)

It’s that demand to refuse any drop-off on which Glenavon boss Michael O’Connor is building a promotion bid and drive towards a swift return to senior football following the Lurgan Blues’ relegation.

“We know what ‘Rooster’ (Ryan Waide) is going to do with the ball, he's showed the quality he's got,” said O’Connor. “If ‘Rooster’ can do that stuff without the ball...he's not going to get it straight away, but he is getting better.

"Big Ethan Devine, the work-rate he does, he does enough for two men but when we went to the single name with ‘Rooster’ it was important that he did that work...and he did. He works hard, you know ‘Rooster’ every time he gets half a chance he's going to deliver.

"I keep saying to the front men, you know Jude (Johnson) and Peter (Campbell) want to cross it (so) get across to the front man...I think that's the first time we've done it this year and that's what happens. So I'm hoping they're taking the information on board, I think they have.”

O’Connor had 33-year-old John Mountney with the skipper’s armband on Saturday and he offered evidence of his experience by reading the danger off a Newington set-piece and producing a key challenge outside the home penalty area before supporting a counter-attack which ended with his pass in behind for a scoring opportunity.

Assured midfield performances from teenagers Luke McGerrigan and Alex Watson offered encouragement at the opposite end of the age scale – with 19-year-old Johnson providing an assist and Deaglan Healy also impressive off the bench at just 20.

"You look at the last 10, 15 minutes we had teenagers on but I keep saying if you're good enough, you're old enough,” said O’Connor. "Luke strolled it, how good he is on the ball, always good at starting off the play for us...Alex had that quality as well but also his energy and enthusiasm.

"I thought at 0-0 we needed to change something and needed a bit of width. Jude (Johnson) was sitting there...Jude didn't train, half a session Tuesday, he's been ill.

"He wasn't going to last 90 minutes, he wasn't going to last 60 minutes...so the plan was 30 minutes to go if 1-0 up or nil-each to bring him on, Jude crosses it and it's a goal...so it worked.

"We've got the experienced boys to help the young boys out."