December slump? What December slump? There was no match report on Saturday as I had a busy weekend. Institute away was a superb trip and no doubt you seen us running around in fancy dress like lunatics. Well, why not? Institute was an excellent performance from the whole team and we wanted another performance like that last night. Oh boy did we get it.
The crowd was poor; Linfield looked like they were preparing for their boycott early. The Glens crowd was poor too, expected after this competition was made to be played over 2 legs, with the Glens being 1-0 down from the first. But those who were there will be thankful they were in attendance, as this was one of the best performances against Linfield in a long time. Even better since the 2-0 win last season and even the 4-1 win in the Setanta Cup.
Straight from the offset Glentoran did exactly what I said they should and attacked non-stop. Early on Keith Gillespie collected the ball from Michael Halliday mid-way through the Linfield half. Gillespie passed the ball backwards to Shane McCabe, although the pass was intercepted by Jamie Mulgrew. McCabe did fantastic to win the ball back, making two excellent challenges on Mulgrew and then McAllister. Paul Leeman was able to give the possession to Jonny Black, whose 30 yard thunder bolt went just wide of the post. Great start to the match and some excellent football involved in the opening attack.
Moments after Linfield received their first chance of the game. Curtis Allen won a free kick on the edge of the “D”. The free kick forced a fine save from Elliot Morris, who seems to have regained his confidence and has produced a string of great saves in recent games.
Colin Nixon is always lethal when it comes to heading the ball and he was unlucky not to score on a few occasions throughout the match. He could only head the ball wide from a corner mid-way through the first half and from then on in the scoring opportunities from both sides were fairly limited. It was safe to say at this point Glentoran were on top.
On 41 minutes the Glens best opportunity up to this stage of the game arrived. Colin Nixon sent a long ball over the top which reached Keith Gillespie. Gillespie was able to volley the ball, however he was unable to get it on target, the shot going a yard or two wide of the goal.
It was just as half time was about to arrive that the deadlock was broken. Gary Hamilton receives the ball on right wing. Beating his marker Gary was able to play a nice ball into Michael Halliday, who is under pressure from the Linfield defence. With one touch Halliday puts Dean Fitzgerald clean through on goal. Dean slots the ball past Addis and into the bottom corner of the net, sending the North Stand into hysteria. Great way to go in at half time, 1-0 Glentoran.
After half time Jeffrey decided it was time for a change. In a double substitution Mark Miskimmin and Aiden O’Kane replaced Mark McAllister and Philip Lowry. It was clear Jeffrey was going out with the idea of attacking the Glens from the whistle.
Things didn’t quite go to plan for Jeffrey though. Dean Fitzgerald snatched the ball from Jamie Mulgrew nearly straight after the restart. Deano was able to find Gary Hamilton who was unlucky not to score, rifling the ball into the side netting. That man Fitzgerald was involved yet again when a superb tackle on Mulgrew resulted in Daryl Fordyce receiving the ball, running a few yards, having one glance up and drilling the ball into the back of the net to give the Glens a 2-0 lead overall and a 2-1 lead on aggregate, with 2 away goals.
Linfield had the chance to pull one back 20 minutes later when Elliot Morris was penalised for time wasting. Linfield were given an indirect free kick just inside the box. Curtis Allen took the free kick, but he actually seemed to forget the rules and had a shot, which resulted in the ball going out of play for an Elliot Morris by-ball. The score remained 2-0 to the champions.
Gary Hamilton had a free kick of his own soon after, however it was a good 40 yards or more out, so the opportunity to shoot wasn’t there, or was it? If you would’ve blinked you’d have missed it and if you watched it you wouldn’t believe it. Gazza stuck his boot clean through the ball and it rifled at unbelievable speeds through the air and off the underside of the bar. The ball looked to bounce on the line, if there was a bit more dip on the free kick it was a certain goal – possibly the goal of the season!
Fordyce had the chance to put the game out of sight with 15 minutes left on the clock, but Addis did well to tip the ball over the bar. Up the other end of the pitch 4 minutes later Linfield got a goal back. Linfield were passing the ball around our half as the Glens sat back and defended. Garrett eventually launched the ball up the pitch, which deflected off Sean Ward and landed at the feet of Curtis Allen, who buried it.
This caused a bit of tension in the dying minutes, but the game looked dead and buried when Shane McCabe broke through and attempted to chip Addis, only for the referee to blow up.
A superb performance from a Glentoran side that have came under an awful lot of stick lately. The win was fully deserved and it is great to go through to the semi finals of this competition for the second season in a row. I sincerely hope there is a boost in confidence in the dressing room, as this new lease of life in the Glentoran team has seen them produce two superb performances in a row. We must not let this slip.
Forever and ever.