Football: McBride's a belter

Glentoran 2

Glenavon 1

Justin McBride was back to his brilliant best, scoring once and creating Glentoran's other goal to end Glenavon's title chase.

McBride flew in at the back post to head in fullback Michael Smyth's inviting centre in the 15th minute.

And in the 58th minute, McBride ran half the length of the pitch, beating opposing defenders at will before delivering an inch-perfect cross for youngster Stuart Elliott to head home.

Stephen Caffrey pulled one back for Glenavon at the far post from Raymond McCoy's cross, but boss Nigel Best admitted: "That's us finished with the championship race now. We could perhaps still finish second but I think first is now out of the question, realistically."

Glentoran boss Tommy Cassidy was full of praise for emergency central defenders John Kennedy and Pete Batey: "The two lads played their hearts out in positions they are not totally familiar with."

Copyright 1997 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.