Ballymena's Kian Corbally finds himself the 'meat in the sandwich' in an aerial duel in the penalty area, prompting calls for a penalty from the home fans.

Referee Jamie Robinson sees nothing untoward and the ball drops to Matthew Clarke who fizzes a half-volley wide of the post.

Matt Ridley leaps highest to meet Chris Gallagher's corner but he can't make good contact and glances his header wide.

Big chance for the big defender.

Aaron McEneff steps up and strikes it well but the ball flashes past the upright.

Luke Conlan is penalised for a foul on Aaron McEneff some 20 yards out in a very dangerous area.

McEneff looks set to take it.

Image source, Press Eye

Pat Hoban outmuscles Shaun Leppard to create the best chance of the contest for the Glens.

It looks like a certain goal but Lewis Ridd spreads himself brilliantly to deny the striker.

Ballymena defender David Toure prevents Peter Campbell from taking a Glenavon free kick quickly and finds his name in referee Jamie Robinson's notebook as a result.

We are past the midway point of the first half as the Reds start to play their way into the contest.

Both Andy Mills and Lewis Ridd have had a relatively quiet evening so far.

Leroy Millar makes a another powerful run towards goal and hits a shot. However, it takes a chunky deflection off Ben Hall and lops into the grateful gloves of Chris Johns.

Glenavon skipper Barney McKeown picks up the first caution of the evening for a tackle from behind on Kian Corbally.

A spell of Linfield pressure ends with no real effort on goal and Larne clear their lines.

23 minutes gone at Inver Park.

Larne strike first against Linfield as Leroy Millar fires the hosts into the lead.

Danny Amos plays a short corner with Ross Clarke before delivering a searching cross toward the back post.

MJ Kamson Kamara leaps to meet it but his header is off target.

The resulting corner comes to nothing as Andy Mills rises highest to claim possession through a sea of bodies.

It has been a brisk opening at the Showgrounds, with a number of corners won at each end but, setting that early Success Edogun chance aside, very little goalmouth action.

Liam McStravick feeds Ryan Curran down the channel who fires a low cross into the box.

Marcus Kane is there to intervene as he turns the ball behind for a Cliftonville corner.

Ross Clarke finds a yard of space on the right but his delivery sails harmlessly over the crossbar.

The winger's misplaced cross is greeted with ironic cheers from those in the McAlery stand.

Ten minutes gone at Inver Park and neither keeper has really been tested so far although Rohan Ferguson has had a few shaky moments with the ball at feet.

Ryan Cooney sees a long throw cleared back to his feet and attempts a spectacular first-time shot from 25 yards.

The ball is dipping and curling with venom before Lewis Ridd reacts well to push it away.

Ross Clarke sends a tempting cross toward the back post looking for Danny Amos.

Joe Toole is alert to the danger however, and the home side manages to clear their lines.