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gino

Wed 08.09.04
Glentoran Vs Portadown – The Oval.
League Cup Grp 1 #3

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: Dry, 11°C

Despite the numerous injuries, we’re some how able to name the same side for the ‘bog’ clash with last season’s old foes Portadown at The Oval. Portadown have opened their campaign in disappointing fashion, with their opening day defeat at the hands of Institute followed up with a 2-2 draw with Limavady United. They’ll be keen to get their show on the road, and prove that they can respond from the disappointment of last season’s finish, today.

Their boys are obviously keen to make an impression, preferably with their studs with several rash challenges inside the opening twenty minutes earning the wrath of referee John Ferry. We’re soon on the attack, letting our football do the talking, but James Millar is in inspired form, keeping the scoreline at 0-0 going into the break.

Tommy McCallion and Michael Halliday are again introduced, with Andy Smith and Damien McLaughlin failing to find last season’s fine form. Portadown are playing a strong defensive game and we’re finding it difficult to create any room. Their quite keen to sit back and soak up the pressure, even more so when Vinny Arkins connects with a cross from the left to turn the ball home at the near post and give his side the lead on 72 minutes.

Scott Young has the perfect chance t equalise three minutes later, when a long ball over the top catches the Portadown defence square. Young does everything right, drawing the goalkeeper to create the angle, but his finish leaves much to be desired. The frustrations of the supporters are plain to see, and we fall to our first defeat of the League Cup group stages.

Glentoran 0 – Portadown 1
Goals: Arkins 0-1.
Attendance: 1,507
MoM: Vinny Arkins (Portadown) – A goal and a fine display of forward play gives the former Notts County man the award.

gino

It’s a glorious day for Northern Irish football with a late Stephen Carson penalty earning Colin Quinn’s men a 1-1 draw in the San Siro against Italy. Filippo Inzaghi got the goalscoring underway before a late fight back saw Northern Ireland draw level. Unfortunately, Andy Smith was left on the bench.

Smith isn’t even on the teamsheet three days later when Northern Ireland meet Scotland at Windsor Park. However, it matters little as Paul McVeigh and Stuart Elliott find the net to continue Colin Quinn’s side’s unbeaten run with a 2-0 victory.

Sat 18.09.04
Glentoran Vs Institute – The Oval.
League Cup Grp 1 #4

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

Weather: Dry, 9°C

With Tommy McCallion added to the injury list, Michael Halliday is given a start for the second round of league cup group fixtures at ‘The Oval’. Since we met to open the group, Institute have had something of a mixed bag in terms of form, losing to Limavady United 3-1 and drawing 3-3 with struggling Portadown. The battle for the qualification spots are already heating up.

We start well, with Andy Smith striking a fine effort that Institute ‘keeper John Connolly did well to save. It’s a bright start that continues throughout the first half and we’re rewarded when Darren Lockhart heads home a Gavin Melaugh corner to make it 1-0. It’s just Lockhart’s fourth goal under my reign. Things get a little easier two minutes later when Halliday is again provider, this time for Andy Smith who gobbles up his first of the season to double our advantage.

Institute have chances to get back into the game early in the second period but a combination of good luck and fine keeping sees us collect our third victory of the group stage. With Portadown beating Limavady United, we need at least three points from our final two games to qualify for the second stage.

Glentoran 2 – Portadown 0
Goals: Lockhart 1-0, Smith 2-0.
Attendance: 1,529
MoM: Darren Lockhart (Glentoran) – An early goal obviously boosted Lockhart’s confidence and he was unfortunate not to add to his tally later in the game.

gino

Mon 20.09.04
Limavady United Vs Glentoran – Limavady Showgrounds.
League Cup Grp 1 #5

Glentoran 5-3-2: Elliott Morris – Colin Nixon, Mark Glendinning (c), Stephen Gourley (c), Sean Ward, Jodie Hill – Paul Leeman, Paul Coulter, Scott Young – John McAuley, Andy Smith.

Weather: Dry, 11°C

With a game just two days after our clash with Institute, plenty of changes are made in order to keep everybody fit for the forthcoming league fixtures. Debuts are given to Stephen Gourley and Paul Coulter, with John McAuley and Paul Leeman also coming into the side.

We put in a dreadful performance for the first half, finding ourselves three goals down by the time we come out of our shell. Once we do, we suddenly start playing some decent football. John McAuley scores to bring us back into the game at 3-1 and when Andy Smith heads in a second with ten minutes left on the clock, things become irritatingly exciting.

Unfortunately, a late comeback is not to be and we find ourselves on the end of our second defeat of the league cup group stages. Today, we deserved nothing more.

Limavady United 3 – Glentoran 2
Goals: O’Kane pen 0-1, Maginness 0-2, Maginness 0-3, McAuley 1-3, Smith 2-3.
Attendance: 1,737
MoM: Andy Smith (Glentoran) – Another goal for Smithy who takes his tally to two for the season.

gino

On Tuesday morning, an injury collected by young centre-half Jodie Hill means he’ll miss Wednesday’s top of the table group clash with Portadown. He’s also expected to miss up to two weeks of the soon to start league season. We also receive another knock-back with the appeal regarding Sean Ward’s one match ban being rejected by the Irish Football Association.

Wed 22.09.04
Portadown Vs Glentoran – Shamrock Park.
League Cup Grp 1 #6

Glentoran 5-3-2: Elliott Morris – Colin Nixon, Mark Glendinning (c), Stephen Gourley (c), Colin Walker, Paul Leeman – Gavin Melaugh, Paul Coulter, Scott Young – John McAuley, Andy Smith.

Weather: Dry, 8°C

With Ward and Hill missing, Paul Leeman and Colin Walker are drafted into the side for our final group clash with arch-rivals Portadown. With Leeman coming in at centre-half, Gavin Melaugh is brought back into the side into his trademark right-wing slot. Victory in today’s game is crucial, as defeat and victory for Limavady would see us slip out of the qualification places.

We start poorly and sloppy defending allows Gary Hamilton the chance to turn the ball home at the far post to give the home side the lead after just four minutes. After the restart, Scott Young tests goalkeeper Millar but a long clearance plays in Hamilton who is able to cross for Vinny Arkins to head Portadown’s second and give us a real mountain to climb.

Before long we’re back in it with Melaugh’s cross finding Andy Smith and his well-placed header leaves Millar with no chance.

Half-time news tells us that Limavady United are losing 1-0 at Institute, meaning a defeat here would still see us through, but I’m not happy to rest on our laurels, telling the players that we need desperately to get back into the tie to have any chance of qualification. The second half is a disappointing affair. Andy Smith has two chances to equalise but fails on both counts and a miss from Scott Young means we fall to a second consecutive defeat.

Thankfully, Limavady can only force a draw meaning we’re through to the knock out stages.

Portadown 2 – Glentoran 1
Goals: Hamilton 0-1, Arkins 0-2, Smith 1-2.
Attendance: 3,311
MoM: Andy Smith (Glentoran) – Despite finishing on the losing side, Smith again takes the accolade for another impressive display.

gino

Just hours after the final whistle, news of the Quarter Final draw filters through to my office. Our opponents? Portadown!

On Saturday it’s Institute at The Oval. Miles Jacobson has been having a look at the Riverside Stadium club throughout pre-season and we’re expecting a tough game. However, on the basis of taking four wins from five meetings last season, the bookies have made us hot favourites to collect three points from the season opener.

Sat 25.09.04
Glentoran Vs Institute – The Oval.
Northern Irish Premier Division #1.

Glentoran 4-4-2: Elliott Morris – Colin Nixon, Mark Glendinning (c), Sean Ward, Colin Walker – Gavin Melaugh, Darren Lockhart, Scott Young, Michael Halliday – Damien McLaughlin, Andy Smith.

Weather: Dry, 19°C

I decide to make changes prior to the opening day clash with Institute. Having employed a 5-3-2 system for much of the past six months, we move back to 4-4-2, with traditional full-backs and wingers in Colin Nixon, Mark Glendinning, Gavin Melaugh and Darren Lockhart. ‘Stute are another side who have made big changes, with six players coming into the club over the summer period. Clearly the most notable arrival is that of former Russian international Omari Tetradze who joins as player/assistant manager from home country side Anzhi. Tetradze has over forty-two international caps and experience with both PAOK and AS Roma amongst others.

The game’s opening goal arrives shortly after the half-hour. Scott Young collected the ball and played in Gavin Melaugh on the right. His pass found Smith whose original effort was blocked, Smith gathered the rebound, shot high, and beat the Institute goalkeeper for his first league goal of the season.

Our domination continued for the rest of the first-half, with Young himself going closest to grabbing a second when his fine effort came back off Declan Devine’s crossbar. Darren Armour replaced Damien McLaughlin after the break and we continued to push for a second. Chris Walker almost opened his tally for the season when his header from a Gavin Melaugh corner just crept over and Darren Lockhart was unfortunate to see his low drive parried before being cleared to safety.

We needed a second goal and we didn’t have to wait long for it to arrive. Colin Nixon broke down the right flank and his well-placed cross was perfect for Armour to meet and head past Devine to make it 2-0. With an improved attendance inside ‘The Oval’ it was vital we put on a display and we did just that. Late chances for Smith and Young could have brought further addition to the score but Devine was strong, proving his reputation as a fine up and coming Irish ‘keeper. All in all, a fine start to the league campaign.

Glentoran 1 – Institute 0
Goals: Smith 1-0.
Attendance: 2,061
MoM: Mark Glendinning (Glentoran) – Whilst Smith took care of the scoring, Mark Glendinning was instrumental in making sure we kept things safe at the back with a real captain’s performance.

League Table – 1 Game: Ballymena Utd, Coleraine, Glenavon, Ards, Glentoran, Omagh, Dungannon, Linfield (3pts); Bangor, Larne, Cliftonville, Institute, Newry, Distillery, Limavady Utd, Portadown (0pts).

gino

There were several shocks on the opening day, most notably at Mourneview Park where goals from Alain Emerson and a brace from Mark Moore gave last season’s strugglers Glenavon a 3-0 victory over Portadown. Arch-rivals Linfield got off to a solid start with a 1-0 victory on the road at Larne with Darren McKay finding the net and a last minute penalty cruelly denied newly promoted Bangor an opening day point with Dungannon Swifts winning 3-2.

Tue 28.09.04
Portadown Vs Glentoran – Shamrock Park.
League Cup Qtr Final.

Glentoran 4-4-2: Elliott Morris – Colin Nixon (c), Tim McCann, Sean Ward, Colin Walker – Gavin Melaugh, Darren Lockhart, Scott Young, Michael Halliday – Damien McLaughlin, Andy Smith.

Weather: Dry, 8°C

Tim McCann is drafted into the side for Tuesday’s cup clash at Portadown, with Mark Glendinning sitting out following a knock to his ankle collected in the morning’s training session. The League Cup may not be at the top of our priorities but after bowing out of the Champions’ League at the first hurdle, we’re desperate of some cup success, and where better than against our rivals?

We get off to the slow start with Vinny Arkins benefiting from some poor defending to poke his side into an early 1-0 lead. We’re soon back in it and good work from Andy Smith allows Damien McLaughlin to score his third goal of the season. The fight back continues into the second period and a well worked corner sees Darren Lockhart head us into a 2-1 lead, meeting a Gavin Melaugh cross from the left.

Darren Armour replaces Andy Smith but the scoring doesn’t stop. Another corner from Melaugh brings yet another goal, when Sean Ward gets up from the back to head past Millar to make it 3-1.

A late penalty from Vinny Arkins causes one or two edgy moments during the final few minutes but we have enough in the tank and are soon through the semi finals where we will meet Ards who advanced past Dungannon with a 2-1 victory.

Portadown 2 – Glentoran 3
Goals: Arkins 0-1, McLaughlin 1-1, Lockhart 2-1, Ward 3-1, Arkins pen 3-2.
Attendance: 1,516
MoM: Vinny Arkins (Portadown) – Two goals and a fine performance means one of the league’s hottest strikers is unfortunate to finish on the losing side. I’d love to have the money to bring him to ‘The Oval’.

gino

There’s a ten-day gap between the cup-tie with Portadown and our second league game, away Limavady United. During the break there was news of the County Antrim 1st Round cup round, pairing us with last season’s old foes Ballyvclare Comrades, the side who knocked us out of the competition at this stage last year.

The squad for the Northern Irish Under 21 game with their Paraguay counterparts is named with four Glentoran player earning call-ups. Sean Ward, John McAuley, Andrew Kilmartin and seventeen-year-old Marc Wilson are all included.

Sat 09.10.04
Limavady United Vs Glentoran – Limavady Showgrounds.
Northern Irish Premier Division #2.

Glentoran 4-4-2: Elliott Morris – Colin Nixon, Mark Glendinning (c), Sean Ward, Colin Walker – Gavin Melaugh, Darren Lockhart, Scott Young, Michael Halliday – Damien McLaughlin, Andy Smith.

Weather: Gale, 8°C

Mark Glendinning was back in the side for Saturday’s trip to Limavady United, with Tim McCann returning to Jimmy Brown’s reserve team. The home side are another team we enjoyed the Indian Sign over last year, taking three wins from four meetings. Added to Limavady’s poor start to the season last weekend with a 3-0 away defeat at Ballymena United, we were firm bookies favourites for victory.

However, a poor start to the game saw Stephen Maginniss capitalise on poor goalkeeper from Elliott Morris and give his side an early lead. Despite having much of the play, we struggle to get back into the game. Goalkeeper Michael Doherty made two saves to keep his side in the lead. The second half brought a change in our fortunes and before long a cross from McLaughlin allows Andy Smith to gain a yard and head an equaliser to tie the game at 1-1.

It was a similar story throughout the remainder of the game with Limavady looking to hit us on the break. Andy Smith was a real livewire, creating chances both for himself and his team-mates but we couldn’t get that all important winning goal. The home side had chances of their own with Owens causing problems for goalkeeper Morris and Maginness proving to the Limavady’s made source of danger, spraying passes around Showgrounds with startling ease.

Limavady had much of the play following our equaliser, with a free kick allowing Scoltock to find Lynch. Things were becoming particularly scrapping with McLaughlin and Colin Nixon both getting involved with opponents with referee Jim Douglas having to branish his yellow card on two occasions.

Darren Armour was introduced in place of McLaughlin in order to make sure the young striker didn’t collect an unwanted red and the change did signal a change in our fortunes. Armour played in Smith with a fine ball from deep, Smith turned the ball into the area and Scott Young was unfortunate not to score what would surely be the winning goal.

Late chances for Armour and Maginness gave both sides chances to take victory but the ‘keepers made sure they came out on top, making sure the game finished with a 1-1 scoreline.

Limavady United 1 – Glentoran 1
Goals: Maginness 0-1, Smith 1-1.
Attendance: 1,731
MoM: Andy Smith (Glentoran) – Another fine performance, another goal and another man of the match award for the Northern Ireland international.

League Table – 2 Games: Linfield, Coleraine, Dungannon (6pts); Ards, Glentoran, Omagh (4pts); Ballymena Utd, Glenavon, Bangor, Institute, Portadown (3pts); Limavady Utd (1pt); Cliftonville, Larne, Newry, Distillery (0pts).

gino

There was another ten-day break between the league game with Limavady United and the League Cup Semi-Final clash with Ards. Again injuries were the main concerns, with Paul Coulter and Tommy McCallion both requiring treatment on the physio’s table.

Kevin Keegan arrived back at ‘The Oval’ after spending a month at Carrick Rangers were he played seven times, scoring twice and creating four goals.

Tue 19.10.04
Glentoran Vs Ards – The Oval, Belfast
League Cup Semi Final.

Glentoran 4-4-2: Elliott Morris – Colin Nixon (c), Tim McCann, Jodie Hill, Colin Walker – Gavin Melaugh, Darren Lockhart, Scott Young, Sean Ward – Damien McLaughlin, Andy Smith.

Weather: Wet, 8°C

The mood around the club was good going into the Semi-Final with Ards and it was mirrored with a fine attendance of almost 8,000 supporters. The visitors had made a steady start to the league campaign with a victory and a draw, collecting four points, with young striker Andy Morrow having found the net four times.

We were given the ideal start when Andy Smith set us on our way after just seventy seconds. A ball from defence found Smith, who released McLaughlin down the left flank. Smith continued his run and timed it perfectly to meet the in-coming cross to dispatch it past Stephen Robertson!

The early goal was no fluke and we were soon on the attack looking for a second. We almost found one in bizarre fashion when an over hit cross from Darren Lockhart deceived everybody, striking the far post before being cleared amazingly by Ronnie Scannlon. Andy Smith crashed a header against the cross bar and Scott Young had two long range efforts that could have tested the Ards’ ‘keeper.

A Gavin Melaugh knock back allowed Young a third decent effort on goal, with his shot flashing wide of Robertson post but again the second goal proved elusive. We paid the price, with the second half just six minutes old when Colin Nixon held down Morrow inside the area and a penalty was awarded. Former West Ham and Cambridge United man Davy Williamson placed the ball down only to see his strike superbly saved by Morris!

Injuries forced both Smith and Young off the field shortly after the hour mark with Michael Halliday coming into midfield and Tim McCann coming on as a makeshift striker. Both were involved in one of our finest moves of the game with Halliday unfortunate not to find the net when Robertson saved well.

We wrapped up our passage through to the final with twelve minutes left on the clock. Colin Nixon brought the ball clear from the back, finding Halliday breaking from deep. The youngster galloped forward in possession, clipping a neat ball to release McLaughlin. He had all the time in the word to side step Robertson and roll the ball home to open up a two goal lead.

But that wasn’t the scoring finished with McLaughlin finding time to add a third and put the icing on the impressive cake with just sixty seconds left of normal time. Robertson could only look on as the ball deflected wickedly off his leg and nestled in the bottom corner.

Glentoran 3 – Ards 0
Goals: Smith 1-0, McLaughlin 2-0, Robertson og 3-0.
Attendance: 7,957
MoM: Damien McLaughlin (Glentoran) – After Smith’s withdrawal, we needed a man to stand tall and make sure we held on and being involved in the final two goals, Damien McLaughlin did just that.

gino

Cliftonville and Omagh Town played out the second Semi-Final with Solitude side cruising to a comfortable 5-0 victory with goals from Lagan, Gilmore, Vernon and a brace from Barry Patton. With Cliftonville in such rampant form, the Final will be no walk in the park, that’s for sure. The game will take place on Tuesday 16th of November.

With Sean Ward collecting a training ground injury that would sideline him for three weeks, our training system was given a complete overhaul with myself and our coaches overseeing the changes. It’s hoped the new schedule will be somewhat more beneficial to the players’ health.

Sat 23.10.04
Glentoran Vs Bangor – The Oval
Northern Irish Premier Division #3.

Glentoran 4-4-2: Elliott Morris – Colin Nixon, Mark Glendinning (c), Chris Walker, Jodie Hill – Gavin Melaugh, Darren Lockhart, Paul Leeman, Michael Halliday – Damien McLaughlin, Andy Smith.

Weather: Wet, 14°C

Paul Leeman came into the starting eleven in place of Sean Ward for the visit of newly promoted Bangor. The Clandeboye Park side have made an impressive, promising start to their top flight campaign, collecting three points with a victory over Ballymena United and an unfortunate defeat at Dungannon. However, this was no time to allow they record to improve.

Colin Nixon was involved in the game’s first clear cut opportunity. His fine ball down the right flank found Gavin Melaugh who did well to beat Lennox and hit a find centre. The cross was perfect for Lockhart who fired a header in on goal from point blank range that Brown did well to clear. Nixon was involved in much of the early attacking play and another venture down the right wing saw his cross find Lockhart. McLaughlin flicked on into the path of Scott Young who rounded Brown and rolled the ball inside the post to make it 1-0 with his second of the season.

Young was having a good time of it in front of goal and was unfortunate not to grab a second when his near post header crept just wide of Brown’s goal just minutes after scoring his first of the afternoon. We were pushing hard for a second and with Bangor offering little in terms of attacking options there was well and truly only one side in it. Lockhart advanced down the left, crossing for McLaughlin whose header was only half cleared by Fisher. The ball fell straight to Leeman who crashed an unstoppable effort back past Brown for a certain ‘Goal of the Month’ contender.

The Bangor supporters inside ‘The Oval’ had to wait until just before the hour mark to see their side’s first attempt on goal. When it came, Morris simply watched as Creen’s strike flew high over the crossbar.

Substitute Michael Halliday had an immediate impact upon his arrival to replace Damien McLaughlin. Halliday’s cross found Smith who laid off a fine ball which Lockhart rifled past Brown to match Leeman’s earlier effort and confirm our victory at 3-0 with just sixty-time minutes played.

Robert McLaughlin scored late for Bangor but thankfully it was nothing more than a consolation goal with the final whistle coming just moments later.

Glentoran 3 – Bangor 1
Goals: Young 1-0, Leeman 2-0, Lockhart 3-0, McLaughlin 3-1.
Attendance: 2,727
MoM: Darren Lockhart (Glentoran) – A fine strike capped a fine display from the rejuvenated left-winger.

League Table – 3 Games: Omagh, Coleraine, Glentoran, Dungannon (7pts); Glenavon, Linfield, Portadown (6pts); Ards (5pts); Ballymena Utd (4pts); Larne, Bangor, Cliftonville, Institute (3pts); Limavady Utd (1pt); Distillery, Newry (0pts).