FIRST HALF GOALS ENOUGH FOR CARRICK
Carrick Rangers hit two goals without reply past Glenavon at Taylors Avenue to begin the season on a winning note.
Curtis Allen edged Stuart King’s side in front with just over a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock after getting in front of keeper Gareth Deane to nod home Joe Crowe’s corner.
Allen could have found the net again just after the half-hour mark after running onto a Nedas Maciulaitis through ball only to strike an upright.
But Rangers did double their advantage moments later courtesy of Maciulaitis’ calm finish following a mix-up in the visiting defence.
Chasing the game, Glenavon did look a better proposition after the break.
David Toure tested Ross Glendinning from distance early in the second half, followed swiftly by a David McDaid volley over the top.
Peter Campbell then had a go but his 25-yard deflected effort was gathered by Glendinning but they almost found a way through later in the half after a Campbell corner almost squirmed past Seanan Clucas at the near post but the home keeper was again alert to the threat.
Both sides had their chances in the closing stages with Paul Heatley teeing Danny Gibson up at the far post but his finish went high into the stands while, for Glenavon, Campbell was denied only by the body of defender Kurtis Forsythe.
Carrick Rangers: Glendinning, Forsythe, Stewart, Watson, Allen, Maciulaitis, McCullough, Buchanan-Rolleston, Clucas, Crowe, Gibson subs McCauley, Surgenor, McGuckin, Kalla, Andrews, Cherry, Heatley
Glenavon: Deane, Toure, O’Sullivan, Marshall, Haughey, Snoddy, McDaid, Campbell, Quinn, Doona, Ward subs Byrne, Lynch, Carroll, O’Connor, Doran, Hamilton, McGerrigan
Substitution 
Substitution 
