Jordan Stewart and Jordan Jenkins scored in Glentoran’s 2-0 win over Glenavon tonight at the BetMcLean Oval to move them top of the Sports Direct Irish Premiership.
Stewart scored midway through the first period, with Jenkins hitting home late on, as Glentoran maintained their 100% record.
With the game just four minutes old, Ryan Cooney, who scored the winner against Bangor at the weekend, burst into the Glenavon box and unleashed an effort, but it was straight at the welcoming Jacob Carney in goal.
Three minutes later, it was Glenavon who went close. A through ball put Jack Malone away, who managed to poke it past the advancing Andrew Mills in goal, but Ciaran Coll did superbly to rush back and turn the ball around the post.
On 16 minutes, the visitors went close again. Paul McGovern attacked down the right before he centred to Stephen Mallon, who was in acres of space, but instead of shooting, he decided to slide the ball to Malone and his shot was blocked.
On 31 minutes, the Glens made Glenavon pay. After a solid challenge from Josh Kelly in midfield to win back possession, Stewart spread the ball left to Coll, who in turn, passed to Liam Burt. Burt returned the ball to Stewart, and he charged into the area before shooting.
Jacob Carney saved superbly, but Stewart was in the right place to head home the rebound into the net.
Seconds after scoring, Stewart was almost in again as he collected the ball down the right flank before cutting inside and getting a left-footed effort away, but again Carney was equal to it and held on.
After a slower start to the second period, the Glens should have scored a second on the hour.
Danny Amos delivered a low fizzing cross from the left, but Jordan Jenkins' flicked effort at the near post went just the wrong side of the upright.
Ten minutes later, goalkeeper Carney made three tremendous stops to keep Glenavon in the tie. Jenkins, Charlie Lindsay and Stewart all shot within the box, but Carney was equal to all to keep the score at 1-0.
The game was finally put to bed on 86 minutes when Lindsay played a succulent through ball right onto the toe of Jenkins, who strode into the area before tucking the ball beyond Jacob Carney in goal.
Glentoran: Mills; Cooney, Kane, Palmer, Stewart, Coll, McEleney, Burt, Amos, Singleton, Jenkins.
Subs: Urminsky; Hvid, Kelly, Ferris, Lindsay, Russell, Johnson
