Match report: Pursuers 3 v 3 Glenavon

Sat 21 August 2004
Report by by Huge Levans of The Scottish Pun (AKA Robert Dawson)

Pursuers continued their pre-season programme with a well deserved draw against First Division out-fit Glenavon at Glasgow Green on Saturday.

It could have been oh so different thought, with Pursuers yet again failing to start the match fully "switched on". Almost straight from the kick off Glenavon launched a nothing ball into the heart of the Pursuers defence. Pursuers back three of Narey, Komolafe and Mohan all failed to meet the ball, allowed it to bounce and then watched helplessly and their centre forward drove it passed the surprisingly sober McKinnon. 10:01 and Pursuers were 1-0 down.

After the usual 5 minutes of post-mortem bickering among both the 11 on the park and those at the side Pursuers started to create chances, mainly through Mir down the right hand side, has he finally decided to use his brain whilst on the park instead of just gibbering away to himself both on the park and in the dressing room??. Both McKinlay and Mir had decent chances to bring the Pursuers level but both were foiled by Glenavons in-from keeper.

Just as it looked like an equaliser was on the cards the Pursuers defence charged out in an effort to catch the Glenavon Centre Forwards off side, unfortunately none of the midfield pressed the ball and we watched in disbelief as Glenavons right wingback cut though the Pursuers and slid the ball passed the surprisingly sober McKinnon.

Half Time 0-2

The start of the second half saw Jon McLeish make his debut in the "Bright" Yellow of Pursuers, replacing the defensive Cunningham in a bid to get Pursuer back into the game.

Ten minutes into the second half and Pursuers had pulled one back after an attacking run down the right by Mir saw one of the Glenavons defenders turn the ball past their own keeper and Pursuers were back in the game.

As we all know watching and playing for the Pursuers is never that straight forward and within 10 Minutes Glenavon had restored their two goal advantage when from a Pursuers attack Glenavon counter attacked and made it 1-3 - Where have we heard that before!

With the ageing O'Neil replaced by Stevie "has anyone got some more masking tape for me ears" Gordon and Stewart replacing "S. Komolafe" up front it was always going to be an attack minded last 25 minutes for the Pursuers.

Shortly afterwards with the arrival of an Ambulance behind the Pursuers goal it was time from the introduction of Kevin "Kylie Car" Kane at the expense of the tiring McKinlay.

And within minutes Pursuers were back in the game, a deep cross in from the right by Kylie picked out J McLeish who stepped inside a Glenavon defender and buried the ball into the far corner of the net. 2-3.

At this stage of the game it truly was one way traffic with C McLeish's 20 yard half volley and Narey pushing forward only just failing to make contact with a Mir cross, only one team was going to score.

Shortly afterward and corner from the right was played into the near post and some how made contact with either Kylie or Gordon..... answers on a postcard as to who got the final touch!

Final Score 3-3.

Pursuers finalise their pre-season this Saturday when they play Club Athletic "Away" at Glasgow Green

Hugh Levens
The Scottish Pun