Glenavon 2 – 1 Loughgall

Magee 22m	Baron 61m
Liggett 89m

On the day that the new JJB Sports Premiership was set for its start, Glenavon were forced to extend their pre-season schedule for another week.  The much publicised referee’s strike saw a multitude of games cancelled including matchday 3 of the IFA Championship.
This quickly arranged friendly saw new signing Ricky Copeland wear the Loughgall shirt for the first time; however he was forced off after only 27 minutes with a reoccurrence of his injury problems.
Glenavon scored the opener on 22 minutes when Jay Magee converted home a byline cross.  The Loughgall defence had already thought the ball was out of play and that allowed Magee, who was quick to react, the chance to drive the ball beyond ‘keeper Robinson from close range.  The Villagers missed an opportunity to level soon after when Ryan Moffatt’s short pass into Paul Baron’s path saw the striker shoot first time which Robert Robinson did well to save low to his right.
The equaliser came just after the hour mark when substitute Dean Smith’s precise cross was excellently headed by Baron beyond substitute ‘keeper Tuda Murphy into the top corner. 
Both sides had chances in the second period with Willie Herron seeing his powerful header from Andy Smith’s cross well saved.  The Lurgan Blues almost scored in similar fashion soon after when Gary Liggett should have done better with his headed effort.
Steven McCain hit a sweetly-struck half-volley which flew just over the crossbar with 3 minutes remaining.  Glenavon scored the winner on 89 minutes when Liggett ran onto a long ball forward and evaded ‘keeper Robinson before slotting home from a tight angle to score a well taken goal.

Date: Saturday 9th August 2008
Competition: Pre-season friendly
Venue: Mourneview Park , Lurgan
Kick-Off: 2.45pm

Loughgall: Robinson, Hamilton, A Smith, Alderdice, Copeland, Herron, Moffatt, Hawthorne, Baron, Brown, Lavery.  Subs: Uprichard, Clarke, D Smith.

Glenavon: Robinson, Hudson, Carville, Magee, Dickson, Harper, McDonagh, Walsh, Grant, Molloy, McCann.  Subs: Murphy, Scates, Liggett, Turkington, McCain.

Referee: Davy Martin (Lurgan)