Glenavon – the Championship team everyone wants to beat this season – celebrated a win over the team Michael O’Connor felt his players had to beat on Saturday.

Although still only in September, the extra weight of expectation on a Lurgan Blues side having suffered the drop last season to sit as second-tier favourites in the current campaign means each point stands precious but prone to added scrutiny.

Ryan Waide’s near-post flick on 76 minutes proved decisive at Mourneview Park to help Glenavon bounce back from a draw and defeat off the previous two fixtures.

And, although just eight games into the league season, give Glenavon gains beyond the three points with victory over a Newington side still top of the table but now no longer unbeaten.

placeholder image — Glenavon manager Michael O'Connor. (Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press)

"You think, if they win today then we're nine behind them and chasing...now you're only three behind and you've closed the gap,” said O’Connor. "So it was really important we got the win and we found a way.

"The last two weeks...getting beat by Dundela and drawing against Ballinamallard, we knew we had to come today and get three points.

"We know more about this league now and how teams want to play...Newington is a bit different today because they like to play football, they like to move the ball well, so it sort of suits us.

"I think we're better against teams that try and play instead of just going long...they deserve to be top of the league from what I've seen of them this year."

Waide won the race to meet a low cross from substitute Jude Johnson with the main moment at Mourneview Park. It proved decisive – and the final individual frontline flourish to cap a fine collective display built on backline foundations.

"I don't think we won ugly, we played some really good stuff, we've had enough chances,” said O’Connor. "The pleasing thing is for me, what I've seen, Newington are one of the best attacking teams in the league, the goals they score.

"So to limit them, given we've conceded too many soft goals, to keep a clean sheet against the top of the league and, obviously, the main thing getting the three points.

"What we did without the ball today was really pleasing, on the ball we were really good at times, some of the patterns of play...the boys worked really hard and they did deserve it overall.

"We've many times where, you know, we're outplaying teams, we're creating chances and then getting sucker-punched or conceding.

"Today I thought we looked really comfortable, I thought the back four, the two full-backs were super defensively and getting forward.

"They won it, they covered for each other and, overall, I'm really happy.

"But there's loads of football to be played.”

O’Connor offered closing praise for support from the stands.

"You've seen the fans today again...the support,” he said. "Even against Ballinamallard we'd a big crowd down, so it's important to send them away happy."