The Lurgan Blues see off Rathfriland

WITH no league fixture on Saturday Rathfriland took on Gerard Mahon’s Glenavon Reserves and narrowly lost 3-2.

In glorious sunshine Rathfriland started the stronger with Wilson and Sterritt looking dangerous in attack. Rathfriland opened the scoring through a Sterritt penalty after 15 minutes when the centre half handled the ball inside the box.

The remainder of the half was a rather scrappy affair with Glenavon creating the best chances. Glenavon took advantage of some hesitancy in the local defence to score twice in the last 10 minutes of the first half following good work by their wee centre forward.

The second half was a much better game than the first with Rathfriland looking more assured on the ball and playing some of their best football of the half. Midway through the second half and against the run off play Glenavon went 3-1 up when their midfielder blasted the ball from 25 yards into the back of the net.

Rathfriland then introduced a number of changes with Weir, Rice and Chris Fraser replacing Walsh, Gibbons and Wilson. Rathfriland then reduced the deficit through another Sterritt penalty.

Rathfriland were dominating the match at this stage and pressed forward for an equaliser but could not break down the visitors defence.

Rathfriland travel to Seaview on Tuesday night were they play premier league leaders Newington in the Clarence Cup. Next Saturday Adair and his team travel to league rivals, Derriaghy CC in a game they must not lose if they want to remain serious league contenders.