Two matches in three days is a disgrace, raps Glenavon chief

Hamilton went on: “The matches were called off last Saturday. There was only one match during the week, which was Coleraine v Dungannon, the league split isn’t for six weeks and the next Irish Cup game is in four weeks, so there’s more time to get that game squeezed in again.

“The players would have been fresh because their game was called off on Saturday and would have got a good entertaining game of football on Tuesday because everyone would have been fit.

“But no, they decided to go with that one game and it’s so unfair. We’re looking to promote this game and get the game to its highest level, but it’s impossible.

“Anybody who is involved in football at any level will tell you that you’re not going to get quality with two games in three days and that’s at full-time level when they can go home and get their massages, their ice-baths and cool-downs.”

Tonight’s game sees the return of former Glenavon captain Kris Lindsay to his old Mourneview Park stomping ground having turned round a Swifts team that had made a stuttering start to the season.

“Kris has done a really good job and we knew he would,” added Hamilton. “It’s never an easy game against Dungannon, it hasn’t been since I was this football club and it’s not going to be any different.”

Against Ards on Saturday, Hamilton made five changes to his starting line-up and rested several key players ahead of the visit of the Swifts, but still had enough in reserve to see off a powderpuff visiting outfit.

Striker Cameron Stewart, on loan from Linfield, who left Mourneview Park when he was 14, made an instant impact on his return when he scored the opener just after the hour.

He was instrumental in the second in the 70th minute when he was fouled by goalkeeper Sam Johnston, allowing Conor McCloske to score from the penalty spot.

Ards boss Colin Nixon reflected: “We’re running out of games and running out of time and if we play like that there’s only one place we’ll be.”

GLENAVON: Tuffey, Norton, Larmour, Wearen, Marron (Jameson, 75 mins), Singleton, Daniels, Hamilton, Stewart (Jenkins, 71 mins), Murray, McCloskey (Barr, 78 mins). Unused subs: J Taylor, Hunter, O Taylor, Sharkey.

ARDS: Johnston, Byers, Nelson, Johnny Taylor, McNulty, J Kelly (M Kelly, 66 mins), McCawl (Cherry, 59 mins), Tommons, Henderson (McLellan, 46 mins), Bennett, E McAllister. Unused subs: Mooney, McClean, McAleenan.

Referee: Ian McNabb (Newtownabbey) Man of the match: Conor McCloskey Match rating: 6/10