AWAY DAY MISERY FOR BALLYMENA

A FIRST goal for new boy Aaron Harmon helped Glenavon to a comfortable victory over 10-man Ballymena United at Mourneview Park.

The former Glentoran midfielder (above) fired home on the hour mark while Josh Daniels added a second soon after to propel Gary Hamilton’s men top of the table on goals scored.

Two further strikes from Stephen Murray and Andy Hall made it a night to forget for United who saw acting captain Andrew Burns sent off just before the break.

Burns pleaded his innocence after careering into a full blooded tackle on Mark Sykes, but referee Steven Gregg deemed it reckless and reached for red.

United had gone close to an opener on 35 minutes when Matthew Shevlin’s close range header was scrambled off the line by Andy Mitchell from a James Knowles corner.

Glenavon took the lead on 58 minutes and what a well worked goal it was.

With United stretched, Sykes sent

Rhys Marshall racing inside the area and the right back pulled the ball back for summer signing Harmon who fired into the bottom corner past keeper Ross Glendinning.

It was 2-0 nine minutes later when Daniels directed a looping header over Glendinning’s head from a Dylan King free-kick.

Glenavon added a third on 76 minutes when Daniels kept the ball alive and substitute Stephen Murray twisted and turned to shoot home via a ricochet.

And it was 4-0 on 84 minutes when lively winger Daniels pulled the ball back across goal and Hall steered a low shot home.

It is now 11 league games without a win at Mourneview Park for Ballymena who last won at the Lurgan venue in 2012.