Much to the home fans' delight, Joe Gormley slices over with a volley after a bit of head tennis in the box. The Reds are having a good spell but need to take advantage and get back into this one.

Ben Wylie's shot is deflected out of danger by Niall Quinn.

Paddy McLaughlin will be happy with how his side have defended so far this afternoon.

Kieran Offord heads home from close range to double his and Crusaders' advantage.

Coleraine threaten from the corner, Kyle McClelland rising highest to win the ball but his effort goes past the post.

Liam Beckett
Sportsound summariser

I honestly expected Jenkins to dink him - he seemed to wait and delay.

They're furious down there. [A red] would have spoiled the spectacle - it will be a talking point.

The first change comes just after the hour as Carrick's Josh Andrews makes way for David Cushley.

Almost an opener for the visitors up the other end as Stephen Fallon's header strikes the crossbar!

That's the closest the Blues have come to finding the opener in a game that has very much been dominated by the Glens.

Liam Beckett
Sportsound summariser

This is the best 0-0 I've watched in a long, long time. Great game of football.

Coleraine on the counter win a corner in front of the Railway End.

Larne have a big shout for a penalty as Matty Lusty's cross deflects off Seanan Clucas's foot and bounces up and hits the midfielder's arm.

Referee Ian McNabb sees nothing untoward - it would certainly have been harsh on the Carrick midfielder who couldn't do much to avoid the scenario.

Niall Currie makes his first switch of the afternoon with Josh Ukek making way for Shay McCartan.

Joel Taggart
Sportsound commentator

Everyone in the ground is expecting red there.

Well, well, well...

Blues goalkeeper David Walsh is shown a yellow card, but the Glentoran support are adamant it should have been a red.

Jordan Jenkins beats the offside trap and looks to get on the end of the through ball, but for Walsh bringing him down outside the area.

Appeals from the Glentoran dugout for a red card as Walsh is the last man, but Shane Andrews just shows a yellow.

Jordan Stewart has been excellent today but has picked up a knock so is replaced by Stewart Nixon.

He immediately breaks away after a Cliftonville corner is cleared but goes it alone and blazes over when Offord was free in the middle searching for his hat-trick.

Coleraine appeals for a penalty after Matthew Shevlin goes tumbling in the box fall on deaf ears.

Jordan Stewart's strike smashes the crossbar, but Kieran Offord rushes in to steer the ball home and give the Crues the lead.

Daniel Amos' cross from the left is met on the head by Dylan Connolly in the box, but his effort is a tame one and is no trouble to David Walsh.

Glentoran still look the more likely of the two sides and are first to every ball too.

Postpublished at 16:13 Greenwich Mean Time 26 December 2024

16:13 GMT 26 December 2024

Glenavon 1-0 Portadown

Ryan Mayse and Jack Malone are down receiving treatment after a clash of heads.

Stephen O'Donnell down receiving treatment after clearing from a Matthew Shevlin header.

The good news is that he's fit to continue.