Match: v Coleraine
Comp : Setanta, Date: 3/11/09, Venue: The Oval

Ah, the Setanta Cup. A competition which has been so cruel, yet so kind to us over the years. A competition which has provided me with some of the greatest ever away days. Drogheda away last season will be a hard match to beat. Then there was St Pats at home. Not a great crowd, but the crowd were behind the team, something we don’t often see at home in the Setanta Cup. When news filtered through about Linfield’s result at The Brandywell it made that game even more important. Then who could forget the penultimate? Cork away, Setanta Cup Final. When we went 1-0 up I thought “What if?” I still struggle to stick that game to the back of my head. The odds were stacked against us, but we were 45 minutes away from Setanta glory. It just wasn’t to be, but that cup run showed the players what the Setanta Cup is capable of.
This game was a must win, home to Coleraine and we have not won a game yet. Unfairly I must say, I think we deserved to win both of our first two fixtures. We were robbed against Bohs and Coleraine stuck a bus on the goal line in their attempt to keep us out. In my opinion, we have played our best football in the Setanta Cup this year.

As per usual, the Glens went 1-0 down after 6 minutes when Darren Boyce stuck the ball away after a counter attack from Coleraine, led by winger Stephen Dooley. Up to this point the play was all Glentoran, however one break down the right wing, Morris caught off his line (let’s not be mistaken, this was not Morris’ fault this time) and the rest is history. It is the norm for the Glens to go 1-0 down however and we cannot say this time that it took us to go one down before we started to play football, as up to this point the football was of a higher standard than has been seen on most occasions this season.
Soon after Kyle Neill had a shot from around 40 yards. O’Hare managed to save, however could not hold onto the ball. Waterworth was able to get a cross in from the edge of the 18 yard box which reached Daryl Fordyce. Unluckily for Fordyce his powerful header was easily caught by O’Hare and the score stayed 1-0. Fordyce had another shot from close range after Kyle Neil’s cross landed directly at his feet. Fordyce was unable to convert from close range; O’Hare spilled however Waterworth could not pounce as the keeper quickly recovered.

The Glens hit back 22 minutes later after Andrew Waterworth got on the end of a an Andy Hall cross in a move which involved 6 passes and some lovely one-touch football. Waterworth was easily able to slot home at the back post to put the Glens on level terms.
The first half finished all square but it did not take long for the Glens to have their first chance of the second half. Andy Hall delivered a lovely cross for Kyle Neill, although Neill could only volley the ball over the bar. Soon after Coleraine had a goal disallowed for offside, a good spot by the officials.
The Glens went ahead for the first time in the game after a defensive error by Kyle McVey. Clarke capitalised on the defenders mistake, squaring the ball to Fordyce who was one on one with the keeper and managed to stay strong under pressure, sending the ball into the back of the net and putting us in the driving seat. 2-1 Glens.

We extended our lead after a move which started and finished with my MOTM, Andy Hall. Andy sent the ball to McGovern up the right wing, McGovern was able to cross the ball along the face of goal, however no white shirt was able to get on the end of it. The Coleraine clearance was only able to go as far as Andy Hall who scored an absolute peach of a goal from around 17 yards. The dipping ball went over the top of ‘keeper O’Hare.
The 2 goal lead would prove to come in handy after Coleraine pulled one back after Rory Patterson and Darren Boyce exposed an open Glentoran defence. Boyce got on the end of a Patterson cross to get Coleraine’s and his own second of the game.
The Glens dealt well with the pressure as Coleraine pressed for an equaliser. The final whistle went and the Glentoran faithful were treated to a wonderful show of football, something which has been missing far too much at The Oval of late.
So, all roads lead to Dublin where we take on Bohemians for the penultimate game which will decide whether or not we go through. The match just happens to fall on the same day as the Ireland vs Wales rugby match, 5 minutes down the road. I sense one of those typical Glentoran-style parties coming on!
Le Jeu Avant Tout

Report by Matthew Brown

Match: v Coleraine
Comp : League, Date: 7/11/09, Venue: The Oval

I’ve never seen the likes of it in my life. When I started writing for this website I guaranteed the T-Men that I would be 100% honest when I started writing these match reports. It was on the front page that I would tell it exactly how it is, so that is what I am going to do. Unfortunately it’s also a rule I’m not allowed to swear – what a shame! Realistically this is possibly for the best, as I like to think of myself as a bit of an optimist.
So where was I? Oh yes, I have never seen the likes of it in my life. Conceding SIX at home, in fact seeing Glentoran concede six anywhere in the league is something I never thought I would experience. I was there in 2006 when we went 6-0 down to Linfield at Windsor. My man of the match that day was Elliot Morris, which speaks volumes for what could have been. We were down to 10 men in that game, Mark Glendinning was sent off. This time round it was Coleraine who hit us for 6....at home....in the league. No matter how many times I say it, it won’t sink in.
Let’s not be mistaken, in the first half we actually played some nice football. Even going 2-0 down at the break, I still believed that we would pull it back, like we have so many times before. I have read many people say, mostly Bluemen in fact that our luck has ran out. I ask them, how do they know? Over the past few weeks we have played out best football in the final 15 minutes or so of the game. Against Linfield, we played well for the entire second half and on Tuesday night (against the same team, with us playing the same starting 11) we played some of the best football I’ve seen us play all season. That isn’t luck, that’s us playing to our full potential. When we do play to our full potential then we will score 2 or 3 goals. Few will disagree. Leaving the ground on Tuesday I made the point of saying to a mate of mine “Hopefully that’s that. We will pick up and start playing football now.” Woops.

We went 1-0 down on 14 minutes after a Stephen Carson cross seemed to hit Colin Nixon’s shin in his attempt to clear the ball. Nixon’s clearance fell straight to the feet of Darren Boyce who had no difficulty in slotting the ball away. Yes, that’s Darren Boyce, the player deemed not good enough for our club. The player who has done nothing but score since joining Coleraine...especially against us. Now, where are those people that told me Darren Boyce was a winger, not a striker?
The second goal of the game can only be described as a screamer. Andy Hall scored a great goal on Tuesday night against the same opposition and Rory Patterson obviously thought he should return the favour, bettering any goal I have seen in a very long time. Easily 30 yards from goal, Patterson received the ball out wide and struck it while having one of the league’s best defenders, Sean Ward, right on his tail. Although Morris was off his line, there was nothing the keeper could have done as the superb dipping ball struck the back of the net. The away stand went into hysterics, the main stand looked on in disbelief, however the Glenmen respectfully gave the goal the credit it deserved and applauded Patterson.
It wasn’t until 53 minutes the Glens looked dead and buried. The goal came from absolutely nothing. Davy O’Hare launched the ball up the pitch to Rory Patterson. Patterson was able to deal with Sean Ward’s consistent challenge, sending the ball home from just inside the area. 3-0, time to start worrying.
For the 4th goal with around 25 minutes to go on the clock I was left asking where the hell our defence was. I understand that we were 3-0 down and going all out attack, however had the players or manager not thought that Coleraine may easily hit us on the break if we were throwing everything but the kitchen sink at them? Obviously not, as our defence, with little pace in it, was left widely exposed when Carson sent the pacey Patterson clean through on goal. Patterson’s clinical finishing meant the Glens were 4-0 down, 3 of those courtesy of Rory Patterson. The Oval main stand started to empty.

Much like that night in 2006 at Windsor Park, I stayed exactly where I was. I never leave a game early and if anyone thought I was leaving this one early then they were largely mistaken. I looked on in pure disbelief when number 5 went. It was so similar to the last goal that you would thing Platt had written a script in the changing room at half time. Patterson again received the ball in a position where he was able to split the Glentoran defence right open, slotting past Morris with pure ease. This boy makes goal scoring look easy. The complete opposite of what Glentoran players do.
So that was that then? Surely? But oh no, Coleraine rubbed salt in the wound by getting their SIXTH goal of the game. I have never felt so humiliated in all my life. Darren Boyce’s great pass slide across the Oval surface for Carson to round off the scoring in what was a truly astonishing performance from Coleraine Football Club. A club which we thought were all but wound up a few years ago.
The scenes after the game really did summarise Glentoran’s afternoon. A group of supporters, widely reported as around 200, however this figure is exaggerated as those standing at the back of the group were merely looking on, seeing what all the fuss was about. It was cringe worthy at best and is something becoming all too familiar at The Oval. I am not saying that Alan McDonald is the right man to manager our club. I have always said he is not the long term solution. If Alan was to step down then I believe that it could be in the best interests of all parties involved. However Glentoran CANNOT afford to sack this man, I hope all supporters are aware of this.

I am more furious with the players on the pitch rather than the manager right now. I have been far too nice in this report, as it is my job to inform the reader rather than to go on a rant. But believe me; I could go on all day about the incompetence shown by this Glentoran side. We are the champions for crying out loud, we have the best squad in the league, packed with talent. So why can these players not click and start playing the way they should be? I would walk over broken glass to play for Glentoran. It’s such a shame that the majority of our support are obviously useless at football, as we would sure give a hell of a lot better than what is being served up by Glentoran.
If Alan McDonald decides to stay on then there is nothing any of us can do about that. Hounding him every week is going to get us nowhere. Whoever is in charge come next week, I have one message for you – sort this mess out. We are Glentoran Football Club, Irish Premiership Champions. We as paying supporters deserve better.

I will support the team and I will support whoever is in charge, through thick and thin. But if the players are not willing to give 100% week in week out and are merely there to pick up a tidy pay packet at the end of the week, then I have no time for you as you are not earning your wage. In my opinion the full weeks wage from the entire team and management should have been donated to a good cause, such as the Ghana Glens.
A Coleraine fan said to me on the way out of the ground on Saturday “We have been threatening to do that for a while now – I’m just sorry it had to be you.” That makes two of us.

Report by Matthew Brown

Result: Glentoran 0 v 6 (six) Coleraine

Match: v Glenavon
Comp : CIS, Date: 10/11/09, Venue: Mourneview

My very first match report I wrote for the T-Men I opened with the line “Football is a funny old game.” Well doesn’t this just prove it?
3 days previous to this match we got hit for 6 by a Coleraine side that haven’t looked anything special this season after a bright start. Fast forward a few days and we’re away to Mourneview in the CIS Insurance Cup second leg, the score line is currently 2-2 and we need to win to go through, or draw 3-3. No pressure then?

I actually felt strangely fired up for this game. I always look forward to a match, particularly the away ones, the craic that is had on Glentoran away trips are second to none. But for this game in particular I felt more enthusiastic than normal. Why though, was I looking forward to us keeping the score line below 6 this time round? Actually the complete opposite. I was totally confident for this match. I knew we would score at least 3 goals. At half time I wandered into the bar for a half time pint. I sat down on a seat, looked across the table and said to my all-too-frequent drinking companion “We’re going to score at least 3 here tonight” he agreed and said that he expressed the same feeling before the game.
We were slow getting off the mark, that can’t be mistaken. We were attacking but it wasn’t coming to anything of note. Glenavon took a quick free kick across the park; however this caused danger for Mark Turkington. Keith Gillespie capitalised on a poor attempt of a clearance by Turkington, pelting down the right wing and pulling inside. From the terraces the Glenmen urged him to play the ball into the box for Daryl Fordyce who was lingering, with Gary Hamilton not far behind. However Gillespie decided to go solo, having a shot from around 17 yards which landed perfectly in the bottom right hand corner. Great work by Keith and 1-0 Glentoran (3-2 AGG).

Glenavon won a corner soon after the re-start. The in-swinging corner received a touch from Gary Ligget and onto Harpur, who could only manage to hit the bar. Minutes later Glenavon won a free kick easily 40 yards out if not more. The Stuart King free kick was high with plenty of power. Several players jumped for the high ball but were unable to get on the end of it. The ball bounced in the box, hitting underneath the crossbar and ending up in the back of the net. 1-1 (3-3 AGG).
At this point I did not feel at all worried. We were going to score 3, remember? Well this is what I thought at least. Usually the terraces would be glum with groans. Especially 1 game after a 6-0 tanking. This was not the case though. The terrace was encouraging the team with shouts of “Come on Glens” it was evident that most people felt upbeat. Why though, why? Who knows, because I certainly don’t.
It went in 1-1 at the break and rather than boo’s this time round it was applause and words of encouragement. It only took 4 minutes into the second half for the Glens to go ahead once again. Gary Hamilton took a free kick from a similar position as King’s in the first half, only on the opposite side. Hamilton’s free kick found the head of Colin Nixon with pin-point precision. Nixon headed downwards, easily slotting home and sending the Glentoran 2-1 up (4-3 AGG).

The Glens struggled to hold onto the lead for long. 10 minutes later, just short of the hour mark, Gary Ligget received the ball just outside the box. Striding 4 or 5 yards forward Ligget tried his luck just inside the area. The Glens defence stood still as the ball slid across the playing surface, beating James Taylor and putting Glenavon back on level terms for the second time in the game. The scores were level at 2-2 (4-4 AGG), however this result would mean extra time and if needed, penalties.
Once again I felt nothing towards this goal as I was still confident. And why shouldn’t I be? Dean Fitzgerald was having none of it. Straight from the kick off Deano was involved in some good build up work with Gary Hamilton and Daryl Fordyce. A one-two with Fordyce meant Fitzgerald could take advantage of some lack lustre defending from the Lurgan Blues. Deano controlled the ball, slotting the ball past Tuda Murphy, winning the game for the Glens as it finished 3-2 Glentoran on the night and 4-3 on aggregate.
Throughout the game we played some very entertaining football. I haven’t enjoyed a match like that one in a very long time. The crowd that went weren’t there to abuse players, managers, backroom staff and so on, they were there to get behind the team and show their support for the champions. However my message to the Glentoran team would be we need co-operation.  Going off the pitch there was no acknowledgement of the fans by the players. Towards the end of the game the fans gave their vocal support and showed their appreciation by clapping the team off the pitch. The same appreciation was lacking from our team. I suppose the team have a point due to the amount of stick they have been receiving lately, but as the old saying goes, if you can’t stand the heat...

This was an encouraging Glentoran performance, one which we need to build on rather than slipping back into old ways. Today Glentoran announced that Alan McDonald would be staying on as Glentoran manager. The majority may question this decision; however I am there to support my club 100% of the way, from the tea lady right through to the players. I am sure Alan understands he has got an uphill struggle from here on in and he obviously feels that he has a point to prove, but if he didn’t think he could do it then he wouldn’t be here, would he? I want Alan to go out and prove everyone wrong. If we’re attending a champion’s dinner this summer, make sure the speciality is humble pie, Alan.
I’d like to wish Alan McDonald, his backroom team, the players and everyone associated with Glentoran the best of luck for the rest of the season. We’re all in this together after all.
Bless ‘em all!

Match: v Glenavon
Comp : League, Date: 28/11/09, Venue: The Oval

Due to an error on my behalf (pure stupidity) this “Match report” is extremely late. Therefore I’m going to make it more of a review of the match, rather than a report on what happened.
My last match report was after a fantastic performance away to Glenavon. Our next match was away to Crusaders, however I was unable to do a report for this game due to other commitments meaning I was unable to take notes at the match. Although the score line for this game may have read Crusaders 1-1 Glentoran, this was a game which we could have and possibly should have won, as we were the better side. It was a new pitch at Seaview and unluckily for James Taylor, the ball took a bounce as he went down to collect it, meaning instead of going straight into his arms it went into the net.
Now here we are again, a fortnight later due to our match with Dungannon getting called off, home to Glenavon. We’ve had a good rest, plenty of time to get our heads sorted since our last league game at home and the Glentoran faithful were hoping for a good performance. In my opinion, in fact scrap that, we did put in a great performance. I was unable to fault a single player on that pitch on Saturday, which is exactly what I want to see this weekend when we come up against our friends from across the city.
There were a few players in particular I was delighted for. The first of these is Kyle Neill. Kyle has come under an awful lot of stick this season. No matter what anyone says, he has a great amount of talent. When Kyle Neill plays well, he is outstanding and it was that side of him he showed on Saturday. I attended the Michael Halliday darts evening last Saturday at The Park Avenue. I was able to have a good chat with Kyle (he came over to our table to talk to us, which shows his personality).
We got talking about the club and he said that he has never been at a club like Glentoran. His exact words were “Aw you don’t know how good this club is. Unbelievable.” This was very pleasing to hear. So when I seen him get on the end of that Gary Hamilton corner for his first goal I was delighted. I heard someone say that he couldn’t have missed it. Well I disagree. He headed it from a difficult angle but was able to place it with pure power in a perfect spot. I then seen Gary Hamilton’s celebration and drew up the conclusion that Kyle’s wife gave birth to baby sometime in the last week. Turns out it was the day previous. Not a bad start to the weekend for Kyle Neill.
The next player who deserves a lot of credit for their performance on Saturday is Elliot Morris. Elliot has not had a great start to the season, but we all know that he is the best keeper in the league when on form and a genuinely nice guy too. I think Elliot cares a lot for this club even though he grew up a Crues fan. Elliot pulled off a string of great saves throughout the game. His fantastic judgement in the 18th minute meant he was able to deny Trevor Molloy the chance to bring Glenavon on equal terms. There was one stage in the match where Elliot pulled off a wonderful save from a Tony Grant shot to tip the ball over the bar. A great performance by Elliot Morris.
Richard Clarke was my man of the match, run close by Daryl Fordyce. I feel that Glentoran fans have been somewhat harsh on Clarke since he joined the club. Richard came to the club with a great reputation and I believe that at crucial times he has lived up to it. He is at a new club and we are only half way through the season, I still think there is a lot to come from Richard. However on Saturday his passing and movement was second to none. He showed great quality alongside Deano, who he has a good partnership with. He isn’t afraid to get forward, but he will track back too, something which is hard to find in a midfielder these days. He took full advantage of the space he was given by a poor Glenavon midfield, so fair play. Daryl Fordyce is like a breath of fresh air up front. He is another player who has received a lot of stick over the past year or so, but it was clear to all that he was not a right winger. He has linked up very well with Hamilton since moving up top and the standing ovation he got when coming off told the story.
There was great team work involved for Neill’s second goal of the game. Colin Nixon, Keith Gillespie, Dean Fitzgerald and Daryl Fordyce were all involved in the goal. Gillespie delivered a fine cross for Fordyce, whose shot was well saved by Murphy, but Neill was making no mistakes when he sent the ball home, putting the Glens out of sight.
Once again the Blues dropped points, this time away to Dungannon, meaning there is a mere 3 points in the title race. Its neck in neck stuff once again this season, looking like it’s going to go all the way. I am confident that we have the passion and belief to go on and retain the title. At the minute my attention is turned away from the manager. I am an honest enough man to say I was critical at first to see that he was sitting in the stand this week, however if that was purely a footballing decision then fair enough. I think the management team has shown a lot of bottle over the past few weeks. Since the defeat to Coleraine we have played some good stuff, so long may that continue.
A break from the league this weekend as we take on Linfield at The Oval. Hopefully we can help in Linfield’s boycott quest this season, by playing our part in their boycott of trophies.
Le Jeu Avant Tout.

Match: v linfield
Comp : CIS , Date: 5/12/09, Venue: The Oval

The hose’s were out on Saturday. No, not another chapter in the adventures of Daryl Fordyce and the Northern Ireland under 21’s, but the consequence of a night of heavy downpours. The game was in serious doubt after some torrential rain. However thanks to the work of the fire brigade, Sammy the grounds man and the patience of the fans in the ground, the game went ahead 20 minutes after it was scheduled to.
The Glens were definitely the better team in this fixture and the outcome can only make me feel as if we had the game snatched from beneath us. Revenge for earlier in the season when we managed to sneak a draw at The Oval maybe? Or last season on the day I like to refer to as Halli-day.
We started brightly; just minutes into the game Jonny Black crossed the ball into the box after Daryl Fordyce held the ball up. The cross was too deep for Keith Gillespie to get on the end of and it went out for a by-ball. The Glens kept applying the pressure. Daryl Fordyce had an ambitious effort deflected off Richard Clarke. The ball landed at the feet of Keith Gillespie who was involved again as he slipped the ball through for Shane McCabe, who could only blast over from long range.
Michael Carvill picked himself up a booking for a ridiculous dive, claiming to have been brought down by Colin Nixon. Obviously Carvill got confused by the amount of water at The Oval on Saturday, mistaking the match for a diving competition. Bring your trunks next time, Michael.
At half time the scores were level, with the Glens going in the better side in my opinion. It was a drab affair so far, with only 2 shots on target between the two sides. The Glens were applying all of the pressure; however we were not creating enough chances worth mentioning.
Early in the second half Gary Hamilton sent Daryl Fordyce clean through on goal. The linesman waved for offside. It was difficult to see at the angle I was sitting and a tough call going by the Forza TV highlights, however there was no protest from the Glentoran players,  so I shall assume the referee got this one spot on.
Keith Gillespie was able to control the ball well to play it to Gary Hamilton. Hamilton was able to turn, however could not get his shot on target and his opportunity, one of the best in the game so far, went just wide of the mark.
The Blues started to apply a bit more pressure at this point. Billy Joe Burns was perusing the Glentoran net around 56 minutes, Shane McCabe making the challenge to put the ball out of play and insure the scores stayed level. Up at the other end of the pitch minutes later, Kyle Neill had a shot blocked by Billy Joe Burns. The shot looked like a clear handball, but the referee waved away the protests of the players, leaving the Glentoran support somewhat bemused.
Paul Munster was the centre of controversy midway through the second half. Michael Gault played the ball into the box, with no clear danger men lurking. Elliot Morris easily collected the ball, however Munster pursued with what I can only describe as a vicious attack against the Glentoran keeper. Munster’s outstretched leg stamped on Elliot Morris. Turkington should have gave Munster his marching orders with not even a second thought, but the referee showed no guts, giving the player a mere yellow card for a dangerous challenge.
Soon after Linfield sub Mark Miskimmin broke free from Paul Leeman, however the captain was able to recover by sprinting forward and making a good challenge to put the ball out for a corner kick.
The Glens best chance of the game came when Gary Hamilton passed the ball to Fordyce, who was able to deliver a defence splitting pass for Colin Nixon. With only the keeper to beat, Nixon had his shot saved by the hand of Stuart Addis. This was definitely Glentoran’s best opportunity of the game and Nixon will be ruing over the missed chance to put the Glens 1-0 up.
With only 7 minutes left on the clock came the decisive moment. Elliot Morris was unable to gather the ball after a Linfield cross. When he eventually looked like he had the ball covered, Keith Gillespie slid in, meaning Curtis Allen was able to collect the ball once again. Morris hesitated to get back on his line and Allen’s pass fell to the head of Paul Munster, who put the ball into the back of the net from point blank range. Glentoran 0-1 Linfield.
It is understandable to realise why some Glentoran fans and players would think we deserved more out of this game. It was not a great performance by any means, but Linfield were the worse of two poor sides. The game was destined for a draw, but that is football. We need to stop dropping points/getting beat by this Linfield side. They are not a good side by any means and on paper we have the best team in the league, so we should be beating them. I can’t help but feel hard done by after the result at Windsor. Our performance in the second half that day was great and it made up for a woeful first 45.
Drawing Linfield in these competitions is the worse possibly scenario. Not because we cannot beat them, we are more than capable of doing so. However when the Glens get beat by Linfield it casts a big black cloud over the world of a lot of Glenmen. All that is good about this club and any past performances which have been good are forgotten about, with the negatives being closely paid attention to.
The players don’t like this and I certainly don’t like it either. However my advice to that team is, don’t give the fans the chance to turn positives into negatives. It is only half time in this fixture, so by going out to Windsor and giving one hell of a performance we can look to the future and banish the negative feeling amongst our great clubs fan base.
I have heard people say “Would you sacrifice a hammering in this competition for a win on Boxing Day?” well I refuse to answer that question, as why think like that? Why sacrifice one when we can have both?
Le Jeu Avant Tout

Match: v Dungannon
Comp : League , Date: 8/12/09, Venue: The Oval

I hate football! Well, it’s a love-hate relationship. Football has provided me with some of the greatest moments of my life. I’m still at school, in my final year of upper sixth, and all of my teachers recognise me as the boy who is caught on the computer not doing work, but browsing internet forums or reading match reports. I’m the fella who gets tortured from my vice principle, who is also my media studies teacher, for going to watch the Glens every week. I’m the lad that when walking down the corridor, a teacher will stop to have a conversation about the football at the weekend.
“If you put as much work into your A-Levels as you do supporting Glentoran you might actually increase your grades Matthew” one of my teachers said to me. My vice principle said to me “Your one sad individual, you know that?” when I said that if the Glens retained the title this season, it would be the greatest day of my life. They don’t understand though. They’ll never understand.

I was thinking through all of this today when walking home. The match tonight was a drab encounter tonight. There were very few chances created as anytime we attempted to make a challenge, we seemed to be stopped dead in our tracks. It’s not good and it really needs to be worked on. We could’ve gone joint top tonight, but instead there is the possibility of going 5 behind.

Jonny Black was on fire this evening. He was hungry, hungry for success. Jonny had a poor start to the season and he acknowledged that himself. He lost his place to an awesome Jason Hill, but he won it back again even though Jason Hill was on excellent form. Since then he has gone from strength to strength and he was my man of the match by a clear mile. From the offset he showed his intent. He had a go from over 20 yards out, however the shot was saved by the huge Dungannon goalkeeper Alvin Rouse.
Dungannon had the first free kicks off the game. Two free kicks in a matter of minutes. Both well struck, however both came to nothing after one going wide and some good defending from Sean Ward for the second.

At the other end Jonny Black sent a cross into the box for Gillespie. The ball is headed across the face of goal and the Dungannon defender managed to get there before Daryl Fordyce. This could have been a crucial moment in the game and the Glens will rue their missed chance to go one up.
The Glens were giving away a silly amount of set pieces. Dungannon tried to capitalise from a corner, although their forwards were finding it difficult to hit the target, Adamson heading over from a McCafferty corner. Moments later another corner was gifted, Craig McClean heading wide this time. It just wasn’t a good day for the Dungannon forwards.

Next it was Richard Clarke’s turn to have a long range effort. Clarke took a swipe at the ball from at least 30 yards, but the ball could not hit the target and went wide. The scores went in level again at The Oval, 0-0.
After the break Daryl Fordyce failed to trouble the keeper with his effort.  This was the only notable effort by either of the sides early on in the second half. The Glens were using their left flank well, with Black putting some good crosses into the ball. It was time for a change on 64 minutes. In a substitution similar to that on Saturday, Hamilton and Neill came off for Waterworth and Halliday. Although unclear, it looked like Fordyce moved out onto the left, which was not the best of moves as that whole side looked a bit lost from here on in.
Fordyce had a long range effort saved by Rouse with around 20 minutes left on the clock. A minute later and it was Clarke making way for Dean Fitzgerald, back from suspension after Saturday. On 74 minutes Jonny Black had a rocket free kick tipped onto the bar by the Dungannon keeper. It was an excellent effort and Black was unlucky to not convert.

Ex-Glentoran and Linfield defender Andrew Ferguson had a chance of his own on 80 minutes. Ferguson headed towards goal at the post closest to the Railway stand. However Fordyce was stood on the line ready to clear the danger, making sure the scores stayed level.  10 minutes later it was Dungannon’s turn to clear a ball off the line. Dean Fitzgerald nearly scored and would have had it not been for Montgomery’s clearance.
This was the last dangerous chance of the game and the referee blew his whistle to bring an end to the drab affair. Jonny Black kicked the ball away in frustration, an emotion many Glenmen would have loved to express.

If we fail to take the chances players like Black provide us with, then how do we expect to win games? Institute away this Saturday. We expect nothing less than 3 points at a difficult venue. The venue may be difficult, but with the utmost respect to Institute, they are the type of side we should be demolishing and this is exactly what I and many other Glenmen will expect to see.
Our league hopes are far from over. We will still challenge the whole way.

Come on you Glens

Match: v linfield
Comp : CIS Cup 2nd leg, Date: 15/12/09, Venue: windsor

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.

Match: v Omagh United
Comp : JJB Sports Irish Cup, Date: 16/01/10, Venue: The Oval

It’s good to be back! I never thought we would be getting a winter break this year, something which has been talked about for a few years now throughout Irish League circles. Unfortunately for us, that winter break will result in plenty of mid-week matches to keep us occupied over the coming weeks or even the next couple of months. Will we even be ready for the split? That is yet to be seen.
Our first match back and first match of the year in fact was not even a league match. An Irish Cup fixture against Omagh United, managed by our favourite manager, Mac the Mouth! Fantastic. It was no stroll in the park though. I watched a pre-match interview from Roy McCreadie and he said that Omagh were going to The Oval with a game plan which they would stick to and full credit to Omagh that is exactly what they did. To be totally honest I could use this whole match report to discuss Omagh Town before they folded and my memories of the day the Omagh bombing took place, but I’ll not bore you!
This match went from the Glens throwing everything but the kitchen sink at a ruthless Omagh defence to one man stealing the show and leaving the crowd with their jaws on the ground by the time he had came off the pitch. Matty Burrows is that man. He had a point to prove on Saturday, he was on the bench after yet another impressive spell in Loughgall. When he came off the bench he needed to prove to Alan McDonald that he was wrong to put him there in the first place. He needed to spite our manager yet reward him at the same time by showing him exactly what he’d been missing out on.....and boy did he do it!
The first half was a drab affair, even if there were plenty of attacking opportunities. Many people are saying that the Polish goal keeper in the Omagh net had a smashing game. I’m going to have to say that he had one fault I noticed which could have cost Omagh dearly and that was he couldn’t catch a ball! Going by the TMEN stats (writing match reports for this site gives me a huge advantage with the use of their stats) we were awarded 19 corners throughout the course of the match. Once upon a time we were lethal at set pieces. Luckily for Omagh Saturday was not one of those days.
The first 15 minutes were fairly eventful. Keith Gillespie had a volley swerve wide of the mark; preventing him from scoring what would have been a peach of a goal. Sean Ward also sent a shot wide after having a rare attempt on goal, all of the build up play being created by himself. But it was not all smiles as around the 12 minute mark Shane McCabe had to be taken off. I did not see what exactly happened, but I was informed that he seemed to turn awkwardly in an off the ball incident, causing some discomfort. So, on came Richard Clarke.
The rest of the first half was not too eventful, although the Polish keeper Tomasz Antczak (If I told you I didn’t look up my team sheet for that name would you believe me?) had his work cut out. He managed to prevent goals from Keith Gillespie, Daryl Fordyce and Gary Hamilton all before the half hour mark. The keeper then found himself on the ground after a challenge from Colin Nixon, which earned Nicky a, in my opinion, harsh booking. Glentoran looked to be heading in 1-0 at the break; however Colin Nixon’s goal was disallowed for climbing on the Omagh defender before scoring. Nicky showed no protest.
In the second half not much changed and the Glens pursued the Omagh net. In fact James Taylor had so little to do he even found the time to leave his net unattended for a few minutes whilst he took a toilet break. Cheers for that, James! Matty Burrows made his return in a Glentoran shirt on 62 minutes. Let us remember that the last goal he scored for us before being sent on loan again won us the league. I think he may be fond of the Sydenham end of the ground. The Omagh shot stopper Antczak proved my previous statement that he couldn’t hold the ball correct as he spilled an in-swinging corner from Black, only for none other than Matty Burrows to bundle the ball into the net, finally breaking the deadlock.
The floodgates were now to open. On 71 minutes Colin Nixon got the goal he was previously denied. Sean Ward found himself on the right flank, sending the cross in for Nixon to head home. 2-0 Glentoran. There was no rest for the wicked though as the goals kept coming. 8 minutes later Daryl Fordyce found the net, something he seems to be doing quite often lately (well at least as far as I can remember...) making the score 3-0 Glentoran. We weren’t done yet though.
We have missed a lethal finisher up front this season; however I think we may have found him. Matty Burrows is certainly not afraid to shoot as he well proved to the crowd when he got number 4. Receiving the ball from Gary Hamilton Burrows scored a fine goal, his second of the game. Of course as I previously mentioned, Matty had a point to prove to his manager and thus he thought he’d go the whole way and claim the match ball. The ball came to his feet on the edge of the 18 yard box and when he hit it, it looked like everything he was going to hit would simply end up in the back of the net. 5-0 final score. Less than half an hour on the pitch and the guy was going home half way to being our leading scorer, quite surreal for him!
It certainly is nice to be back. I haven’t heard a player clapped off the pitch in a long time like I heard Burrows on Saturday, his name ringing around The Oval. After all of this talk of us signing a new striker in the transfer window.....what on earth do we need one for?

Le Jeu Avant Tout

Report by Matthew Brown

Result: Glentoran 5 v 0 Omagh United

Match: v linfield
Comp : League, Date: 26/01/10, Venue: The Oval

It was an entertaining Big Two encounter at The Oval last night which more than made up for the last 2-2 draw at the same venue which, despite 4 goals, was quite a drab affair. I had no doubt in the back of my mind that we could beat this Linfield side and when I seen a centre back pairing of Murphy and Bailie I did feel like Burrows would outpace the two of them in what could be an easy victory for The Glens.
However this was not the case and it actually turned out to be somewhat of a get out of jail free card. Although we bossed the first half we came out in the second half and looked like a totally different side, letting Linfield into the game too much. Thankfully Linfield make the same mistakes we do time and time again by sitting back instead of playing to the final whistle.
The Glens made their intentions know from the start. A rifling cross from Daryl Fordyce into the box was cleared by the defender. Dean Fitzgerald was able to send the ball back into the box though by getting on the end of the clearance, however Matty Burrows was unable to reach the ball in time and it was recouped by Linfield keeper Stuart Addis.
Minutes later a clearance by the Glentoran defence gave Gary Hamilton the opportunity to break past William Murphy. As Hamilton approached the keeper and took his shot the referee called back play on the basis that Hamilton appeared to shove Murphy when breaking away.  Gary Hamilton was involved again in the Glens next chance. A cross from the right wing was met by the head of Daryl Fordyce and landed at the feet of Gary Hamilton. Gary got the shot away however was only able to blast over from around 17 yards.
Linfield were not being allowed a look in. The Glentoran defence was well organised, with Peter Thompson firmly placed in Sean Wards back pocket for the entire first half. Glentoran were the only team that were going to break the deadlock.
That break did come on 26 minutes. Keith Gillespie burst down the right wing and delivered a ball of sheer class to Matty Burrows. Burrows was unable to get the shot away, so it was Daryl Fordyce who received the ball from Burrows. With his left foot Fordyce put the ball out of the keepers reach and into the bottom corner of Stuart Addis’ net.
It was silky football, free flowing across the Oval surface queuing taunts of cheers from the Glentoran supporters and chants of “It’s just like watching Brazil.”
Going in at the break Glentoran could have felt a little disappointed, as the score line could have been greater.  Gary Hamilton said in his post match interview that they just wanted to keep playing and that is exactly how The Oval faithful felt.
In the second half it was almost like a new Glentoran side had emerged. One with not as much desire as the first half, which was disappointing to say the least. James Taylor made a fantastic save around 5 minutes into the second half, forcing the ball out for a corner kick. It was from this corner kick the equaliser came. Damien Curran’s corner was met by Peter Thompson. Thompson’s shot was going at least 6 yards wide had it not been for Keith Gillespie. Gillespie, who was having an impressive game, was defending the line when the ball deflected off him, leaving keeper James Taylor Helpless.
Linfield’s dominance then took over. Glentoran were struggling to get back into the game. Every attack, as few and far between that they were, came to nothing. Stuart Addis was finding himself with the ball more times than enough.
The Blues were 2-1 up only 4 or 5 minutes after their equaliser. It was from a Glentoran corner this attack was created. Philip Lowry collected the ball in the Glentoran half and, unchallenged, broke down the right wing. He was able to send the ball to Billy Joe Burns, whose delivery to Peter Thompson meant that, although not in a great position to score himself, he was able to play Jamie Tomelty into an excellent position where he could not have failed to score.
The Glens nearly got an equaliser when Gary Hamilton crossed the ball to Matty Burrows who was standing on the Linfield goal line. It was not Burrows that got the touch on the ball however. Billy Joe Burns slid in, causing the ball to deflect off the cross bar and nearly cross the line. This could well have been the turning point in the game, as Glentoran created more attacks from here on in and caused more problems.
It was in the 85th when the Glens grabbed the equaliser and the point. After some reshuffling Alan McDonald placed Gary Hamilton into midfield. Daryl Fordyce was able to hit a shot which could only be described as a thunder bolt. The shot was spilled by Stuart Addis and none other than Gary Hamilton was lurking nearby to slot the ball home. This was not just any goal; this was a goal which sent Glentoran to the top of the table for the first time in 2010.
In the first half the Glens could have had the game wrapped up. It was one of those fine performances we have been treated to over our past few league games, bar Newry. However in the second half our defence seemed to half a lack of communication and it cost us dearly. Our bounce-back-ability was superb in the end, with the heads never dropping and the team never giving up.
This was one of those results you could look back on in May and think – “That’s why we’re champions.”
Forever and Ever

Back