Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BLUES LEAVE GLENAVON TO STEW OVER IT
Glenavon 0 Linfield 1
CAMERON Stewart’s first goal of the season kept Linfield’s title hopes alive as the champions edged out Glenavon at a packed Mourneview Park last night.
Stewart’s first half winner came in controversial fashion as the Lurgan Blues claimed a push on Sammy Clingan before the striker headed home.
Victory eased David Healy’s men up to fourth in the Premiership and eight points off leaders Coleraine, who play Crusaders today.
Glenavon, suffering their first home defeat of the season, went closest when Clingan forced a superb save from Roy Carroll midway through the second-half.
The only downside for Linfield was a serious injury to substitute Aaron Burns who was stretchered off late on with a knee injury.
The Blues’ breakthrough came in the 17th minute when towering striker Stewart headed home after Andy Waterworth flicked on a Chris Casement corner.
Incensed Glenavon players claimed Clingan had been pushed aside, but referee Ian Mcnabb waved appeals away as Stewart celebrated his first goal since March.
Linfield throught they had doubled their lead before the break when Stephen Lowry rifled home from close range, but the midfielder was penalised for controlling with his hand.
The raiding Waterworth also forced a smart save from Glenavon keeper Jonny Tuffey while Mark Sykes twice went close for the Lurgan Blues at the other end.
Glenavon, who lost Andy Hall to a hamstring injury on the half hour mark, pressed for an equaliser after the break and star striker Andy Mitchell fizzed an effort wide of target.
Former Northern Ireland midfielder Clingan also forced a superb finger tip save from Carroll with a piledriver before Waterworth screwed wide at the other end.
Glenavon duo Simon Kelly and Rhys Marshall both went close late on before Niall Quinn headed wide for Linfield.