Glentoran into top six with win over ten-man Portadown

First half goals from Conor McMenamin and Hrvoje Plum, who slotted home from the spot after Greg Hall was dismissed for hand ball put the Glens in control.

Lee Bonis pulled one back at the start of the second half but Jay Donnelly wrapped up the points with a third.

The visitors got off to the perfect start at Shamrock Park with a goal inside two minutes.

Plum played Robbie McDaid free down the left with a great pass.

The striker looked up and picked out McMenamin in the box, and he coolly volleyed past Carney.

The new recruit almost doubled his and the Glens advantage soon after as he tried his luck in the box again, but this time his shot hit the inside of the post before rolling across goal to safety.

Glentoran did double their lead before the half hour as Jay Donnelly beat the onrushing Carney before crossing for McDaid in front of the open goal.

His header though was tipped over by defender Greg Hall. A penalty was awarded and Hall was dismissed for handball before Plum slotted home from the spot.

It was almost 3-0 nine minutes before half time as Carney’s poor clearance was latched on to by Jay Donnelly, the keeper did well to block his effort, the Ball fell for Plum but he fired wide of the target.

Remarkably though is was ten-man Portadown who grabbed the next goal.

Minutes after the start of the second half sloppy play from Patrick McClean allowed Lee Bois to nip in and nick the ball away from Dayle Coleing before firing into the empty net.

Mick McDermott’s men restored their two-goal advantage midway through the second half as Donnelly finished Plum’s cross.

At The Showgrounds Coleraine had the ball in the net on nine minutes as Curtis Allen deflected in James McLaughlin’s shot, but referee Tony Clarke said it came off the striker’s arm.

At the other end Gareth Deane did well to block an effort from Shay McCartan.

A great run by Jamie Glackin four minutes into the second half saw him cross for McLaughlin, but he just failed to get the vital touch in front of goal.

McLaughlin had the ball in the net soon after but again it was chalked off for a foul on Williamson.

The Bannsiders finally got their goal on 62 minutes as defender Lyndon Kane rifled in an unstoppable shot.

Right at the death Sky Blues keeper Williamson was sent off for a challenge on Stewart Nixon.

Glenavon’s early pressure at Mourneview Park paid off on 17 minutes as Michael O’Connor’s free kick from out wide came through a crowd of bodies before finding the far corner.

The visitors had a penalty appeal waved away before half time but there was no arguments at the start of the second half as Sean Ward handled Alex Gawne’s shot.

He saw red and Caolan Loughran punished Glenavon further by slotting home the spot kick.

At Milltown the visitors opened the scoring in the second half as Rhyss Campbell slotted in after good work by Michael Carvill.

Thomas Maguire earned his side a point though with a spectacular overhead kick.

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