Irish Premiership: Carrick Rangers stun Larne as Glentoran and Glenavon win
As Paddy McLaughlin’s revival continued under Paddy McLaughlin, they crossed Ballymena United to finish ninth as they beat Loughgall 2-0 at Lakeview Park.
Visitors started off brilliantly and opened the score through Atherton after 18 minutes.
The injured teenager, who recovered Waltz through a static Loughgall defense, was able to score his first league goal of the season, slamming his shot low under the body of propulsion goalkeeper Nathan Gartside.
Half an hour later, Glenavon found himself unmarked in the Loughgall penalty area at midfielder Jack Malone and directed his lead through the helpless Gartside of Peter Campbell’s sales point.
As Malone imposed a fine from Gartside, Len O’Sullivan waved on the crossbar after a quick throw, there were other opportunities.
Michael O’Connor was stripped of a third of the game before his close volley before his break as James Carroll failed to clear the post and was then cleared by the relaxed home defense.
Niall Quinn forced Gartside to make a wise move when tourists wanted to kill the game, but Loughgall made a big improvement in the second phase, although they failed to inappropriately trouble Tadhg Ryan in the visitors’ targets.
Villagers remain rooted at the feet of the table, while Glenavon continues to target the team above them, starting with Coleraine, who led three-pointers by Lurgan Blues on Saturday.
