WHAT THE MANAGER SAID: 'So it worked' - Glenavon joy at 'really important' win to end leaders' unbeaten start

Here’s the full-time verdict from Glenavon manager Michael O’Connor:

IMPORTANT RESULT...

"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.

"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.

"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."

OVERALL PERFORMANCE...

"I don't think we won ugly, we played some really good stuff, we've had enough chances.

"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.

"You've seen the fans today again...the support.

"Even against Ballinamallard we'd a big crowd down, so it's important to send them away happy."

YOUTH PROGRESS…

"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.

"Luke McGerrigan today he strolled it, how good he is on the ball, he's always good at starting off the play for us.

"And Alex (Watson), he had that quality as well but also his energy and enthusiasm for how he plays.

"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."