Thread: 'Le Jeu Avant Tout' - Yesterday's Heroes, Today.

Season 2004/2005

The season begins with the draw for the European Champions’ League First Qualifying Stage. There are numerous clubs in the hat that I would like to avoid, namely Kazakhstan side Irtysh Pavlodar and Slovenian side NK Maribor. When the draw does take place, a fax from UEFA lets us know we’ll face Icelandic side Knattspyrnufélag ReykjavÃ*kur, or KR for short, over two legs, starting with the away tie on Wednesday 21st July 2004.

In the final of Euro 2004, hosts Portugal made full use of home advantage, beating holders France 3-1 on penalties. The Portuguese came from home thanks to a Pauleta goal, equalising a Thierry Henry strike to force the extra period.

Wed 21.07.03
Knattspyrnufélag ReykjavÃ*kur Vs Glentoran – KR-völlur.
Champions’ Cup Qual. 1 Leg 1

Glentoran 5-3-2: Elliott Morris - Colin Nixon, Mark Glendinning (c), Chris Walker, Sean Ward, Jodie Hill - Gavin Melaugh, Darren Lockhart, Scott Young – Damien McLaughlin, Tommy McCallion.

Weather: Wet, 19°C

Reykjavik is the host of our first round; first leg Champions’ League qualification game against Icelandic side KR. The players are back early from their summer break, just as they were last season when we lost out at the hands of Estonian side FC Flora. Again I know little of our European opponents but on closer scrutiny I can see full-back Sigurðsson and centre-half ElÃ*sabetarson have international experience for Iceland.

With Andy Smith missing with a thigh strain, Damien McLaughlin partners Tommy McCallion in front of a good number of travelling Glenmen over from Belfast. We’re under pressure fro the moment of kick-off on what is a wet yet warm night. A long throw into the box leads to unnecessary pressure, culminating in Olafsson’s header coming back off the bar after just four minutes.

The home side’s dominance is obvious, and we’re under pressure throughout much of the opening quarter hour. Elliott Morris is thrice called upon to save, parrying a goal bound effort from Sveinsson before saving well from Arnason. We’re having little joy going forward but that all changes when a quick break sees Sean Ward release Darren Lockhart down the left wing. Lockhart’s ball into the centre was well-placed and Tommy McCallion’s first time effort puts us 1-0 to the good!

The goal, against the run of play, does little to change the order of the game with the home side back on the attack almost immediately. We do our best t keep them out but can do little but watch as Sveinsson equalises, before grabbing a second to send the Icelandic side 2-1 to the good at the interval.

We’re on the back foot but again counter attack well to equalise at 2-2 on the hour through striker Michael Halliday. The youngster, who has over 85 appearances for the Glens to his name, missed much of last season through injury and this is his first appearance during my reign. If he continues to finish as well as he did today then appearances will become little more regular.

At 2-2, the travelling Glentoran are hopefully of taking the game back to Belfast all-square but KR have other ideas. Sveinsson is in inspired form, completing his hat-trick to make it 3-2, before laying on a fourth for strike partner Stefansson. We’ll go into the game next Wednesday two goals behind, but our two ‘away goals’ could prove to be crucial.

KR 4 – Glentoran 2
Goals: McCallion 1-0, Sveinsson 1-1, Sveinsson 1-2, Halliday 2-2, Sveinsson 2-3, Stefansson 2-4.
Attendance: 2,691
MoM: Einar Sveinsson (KR) – A hat-trick gives his side a great chance of progressing to the second round of qualifying.

Back in Belfast, speculation surrounding youngster Marc Wilson begins to build, culminating in Leeds United’s derisory offer of just £7,000. It’s immediately rejected but with Wilson not able to sign a full contract until his 18th birthday in two weeks time, the chances of keeping youngster at the club for the foreseeable future don’t look good.

Wed 21.07.03
Glentoran Vs Knattspyrnufélag ReykjavÃ*kur – The Oval.
Champions’ Cup Qual. 1 Leg 2

Glentoran 5-3-2: Elliott Morris - Colin Nixon, Mark Glendinning (c), Chris Walker, Sean Ward, Jodie Hill - Gavin Melaugh, Darren Lockhart, Scott Young – Damien McLaughlin, Tommy McCallion.

Weather: Dry, 22°C

Back at ‘The Oval’, trailing by two goals, we knew we faced another huge up hill battle if we were to progress into the second qualification round. KR were strong, confident and more importantly, much more physically fit than our semi-professional players. Still, I knew we’d have a great attendance for the game with the fans desperate to see their boys progress.

We controlled the opening period, though we’re guilty of several missed opportunities to give us the lead. ‘The Two Mcs’, McLaughlin and McCallion both shot wide when released and Scott Young saw his low shot agonisingly come back off the bar. It seemed all too similar to last season’s aggregate defeat to FC Flora. We went into a break at 0-0 but we knew we should have been leading. With forty-five minutes left, we’d need an early goal if we were to stand any chance of forcing extra-time.

Things took a turn for the better three minutes into the second half when Gislason handballed when Young’s effort looked goal bound. The referee had little option but to issue a red card and McLaughlin had the chance to score from the spot. He shot low, beating Sigurdsson and giving us a one-nil lead.

Try as we might, we couldn’t find that all important second goal that would send the game to extra-time. The best chance fell to substitute McAuley, who snatched the bal ball and dragged it yards wide when the goal was at his mercy. For a second season running, our foray into Europe had lasted just two games.

Glentoran 1 – KR 0
Goals: McLaughlin pen 1-0.
Attendance: 11,502
MoM: Gavin Melaugh (Glentoran) – A fine performance from Melaugh, one which deserved further participation in the competition.

Nice to see your story up and running again :thup:

Good luck for the new season -hope you can bounce back straight away from the unlucky exit in the CL Qualifying Round.

Out of curiosity -why the French title?

Thanks for reading and replying Dave. It's the club's motto, and it translates as 'The Game Before All' so I thought it'd make an interesting and slightly different story title.

great to see this up and running again :thup:

The big Irish European success story comes with First Division Ballinamallard United, in the UEFA Cup First Qualifying round after their Irish Cup victory over ourselves. With Portadown bowing out of the competition with a 4-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Israeli side Maccabi Netanya, United are the only side to progress, keeping the country’s hopes alive with a 5-3 aggregate win over Faroe Isles side TB.

There a number of offers for our players between the full-time whistle against KR and the kick-off time in the opening League Cup fixture with Limavady United. Portsmouth are the latest in a long line of English clubs to enquiry over Andy Smith but their pitiful offer of just £100,000 after 50 league goals was rejected out of hand. Glasgow Celtic also express interest in youngster Marc Wilson but he’s just too valuable to let go.

Glenavon and Ballyclare Comrades enter a duel over former Birmingham City winger Jon McCarthy, with both sides wanting the Northern Irishman to return to his homeland to manage their respective sides.

One player signing on the dotted line is goalkeeper Elliott Morris, signing a three-year extension to his current deal that ends at the end of this season. Morris will hopefully be our number one for years to come. The deal comes just hours before Dundela’s Stephen Gourley agrees to join the club’s reserve team after impressing on a short trial period. Gourley is a tough-tackling defender, aged 23, who made 12 Second Division appearances last season.

Transfer In:
Stephen Gourley (D C, 23) – Free transfer from Dundela.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gino:
Thanks for reading and replying Dave. It's the club's motto, and it translates as 'The Game Before All' so I thought it'd make an interesting and slightly different story title. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Never knew Glentoran had a French motto (must be some sort of Huguenot legacy). Actually, a better translation would be 'The Game Above All Else' -sorry to seem pedantic, but translation is my job and I'm half-French...

All the best :thup:

We’re made evens favourites to claim our third title in three season and complete the hat-trick. Portadown are second favourites at 5-4 whilst the auld-enemy Linfield come in third fancied at 6-4.

Sat 21.08.03
Glentoran Vs Limavady United – The Oval.
League Cup Grp 1 #1

Glentoran 5-3-2: Elliott Morris – Paul Leeman, Tim McCann, Chris Walker (c), Sean Ward, Jodie Hill - Gavin Melaugh, Darren Lockhart, Scott Young – Damien McLaughlin, Andy Smith.

Weather: Dry, 12°C

Injury problems pay their part in my team selection for our opening League Cup Group clash with Limavady United at ‘The Oval’. Colin Nixon and Mark Glendinning both pick up knocks in the week running up to the game meaning Paul Leeman and Tim McCann are both given starts. Up front, Andy Smith makes his first appearance of the summer in place of Tommy McCallion who drops to the bench.

Having missed out on the trophy last season, the League Cup holds some importance for us. Limavady are a strong side and though our two victories last season make us firm favourites, we’ll have to be on our guard, particularly against young striker Gerard Moore, thought to be one of the more promising players in the Irish League.

We make all the early running through Scott Young and Gavin Melaugh but fail to take advantage, with Young’s effort from twenty yards our best chance. Limavady launch counter attacks of their own and we’re fortunate to stop a flurry of corners ending with the ball finding its way into our goal. Injury to Paul Leeman midway through the second half sees Michael Halliday take to the field and the extra striker increases our attacking options, leading to the chance that saw Steve Brown trip Andy Smith and give us a penalty, twenty one minutes from time.

Once again Damien McLaughlin places the ball down, and a fine strike gives us a much needed win to get our league cup campaign off to an ideal start.

Glentoran 1 – Limavady United 0
Goals: McLaughlin pen 1-0.
Attendance: 1,534
MoM: Scott Young (Glentoran) – After disappointing display against KR, Young is back to his best with the return to domestic football.

On Sunday morning I’m contacted by a representative from Southampton Football Club, wanting to know how much it would take to tempt me into the sale of hotshot Andy Smith. Despite Smith having a minimum release fee of £250,000 that he isn’t keen to negotiate, I cheekily demand £500,000. Unsurprisingly, their interest isn’t quite as intense.

Glenavon are also back in touch, offering £10,000 for reserve team midfielder Andrew Kilmartin. ‘Killer’ has been struggling to hold down a place in the first-team squad and has been limited to substitute appearances so, in a bid to cut the ever-increasing wage bill, he’s allowed to discuss terms with our Premier Division rivals.

Former Linfield and Glentoran hate-figure boss David Jeffrey gets back into Irish Football, taking the job of newly relegated Crusaders.

Sat 28.08.03
Institute Vs Glentoran – Riverside Stadium.
League Cup Grp 1 #2

Glentoran 5-3-2: Elliott Morris – Colin Nixon, Mark Glendinning, Chris Walker (c), Sean Ward, Jodie Hill - Gavin Melaugh, Darren Lockhart, Scott Young – Damien McLaughlin, Andy Smith.

Weather: Wet, 12°C

Colin Nixon and Mark Glendinning are back to full fitness for our second group fixture, away at Institute. The home side opened their campaign last weekend with a confident 2-0 away victory at Portadown, with the two Ryan’s, Semple and Coyle, scoring the ‘Stute goals. Institute are looking to build on last season’s difficult season which ended in success with relegation being avoided.

We’re on the attack almost immediately when a long ball forward from Chris Walker is nodded into Scott Young’s path by Andy Smith. Young advanced on the ‘Stute defence before testing goalkeeper John Connolly with a low effort. The home side as soon forcing chances of their own and Healy’s long range effort almost catches out Elliott Morris.

We take the lead on twelve minutes when a well worked move falls to Young who punishes some slack Institute marking with a neat finish. However, it’s a lead we hold for just twenty-two minutes when Walker mis-cues allowing Ryan Semple to get his second of the competition, shooting low past Morris.

Going into the break at 1-1, I make three changes for the second period. On comes Michael Halliday in place of Andy Smith, McCallion replaces McLaughlin and goalkeeper Ronan Skelton is given his debut taking the goalkeeping gloves from Elliott Morris. It has the desired effect and we’re on the attack straight away with Halliday and McCallion combining to force a series of corners. The home side are on the wrack with Halliday himself guilty of missing an open goal that would have given us the lead at 2-1.

Thankfully, Halliday is keen to make up for his earlier mistake, playing in McCallion whose trademark cool finish restores our lead by the odd goal in three. The goal appears to open the floodgates and just five minutes later, McCallion again wheels away in celebration, converting another Halliday centre to make it 3-1.It’s a scoreline that somewhat flatters our performance, with the home side having just as many chances. We have both Morris and new signing Skelton to thank for maintaining our lead. Still, three points mean we’re the only side in Group 2 to have a 100% record from two games.

Institute 1 – Glentoran 3
Goals: Young 1-0, Semple 1-1, McCallion 2-1, McCallion 3-1.
Attendance: 1,534
MoM: Scott Young (Glentoran) – Another impressive display for the talented midfielder, grabbing a goal and two assists.

In local football, Second Division side East Belfast appoint Thai Saravut Longsawang as their new manager. Newly promoted to the Senior leagues after success in regional football, Longsawang will have a real task on his hands if he is to keep the side in the Second Division for the foreseeable future.

The injuries are continuing to mount up, with Gary Smyth, Scott Gordon and Willie Hull all picking up knocks during the week’s training sessions. All three will miss next Wednesday’s visit of Portadown.

With the transfer deadline coming to a close, few Premier Division sides dip into the market. Cliftonville move to strengthen their side, bringing in young left-back Tom McKenna from Crewe United and striker Chris Traynor arrives at Institute from Annagh United. Despite attempts to convince the board, I fail to finance a move for long-term target George McMullan.

Three players are given places in the Northern Irish Under 21 squad for the forthcoming games with their Italian and Scottish counterparts. Sean Ward, John McAuley and sixteen-year-old Marc Wilson are all given places in Colin Quinn’s squad. Our representation is increased three days later when injuries lead to Gary Long’s call-up.