Glenavon end Cliftonville reign in League Cup
Glenavon 3-2 Cliftonville
Cliftonville's four year reign in the League Cup ended at Mourneview Park with Glenavon coming out on top 3-2 after extra-time.
It was deadlocked at 1-1 after 90 minutes but two goals from Andy McGrory saw the Lurgan Blues through to the last four.
An early chance fell to the home side with a poor kick out by the Reds keeper falling to Mark Sykes who curled his shot just wide of the goal.
Greg Moorhouse should have opened the scoring in Glenavon’s next attack, good link play between Kevin Braniff and Rhys Marshall set up the chance but the big striker fired inches wide.
Cliftonville always looked dangerous on the break and although they had to wait for a chance it came on 38 minutes with David McDaid flashing a shot just wide of the left hand post.
The half ended with another Glenavon chance as Marshall’s header from Mark Patton’s corner drifted off target.
The Reds looked the stronger in the second half as they started with real purpose but it was Glenavon who took the lead after Moorhouse won the ball in his own half and as the defence backed off his parting shot went in off the right hand post.
However the tie was level again as David McDaid nipped in to connect with a cross into the box and his shot trickled over the line after hitting a defender.
Gary Hamilton's side took the lead again in the first period of extra-time.
Substitute Guy Bates slipped the ball to McGrory and his first time shot flew past the keeper for 2-1.
Glenavon added a third from the penalty spot, McGrory sending the keeper the wrong way, but Cliftonville had not finished and ensured a nervous last few minutes after Stephen Garrett pulled a second goal back near the end.