Shermanez

Sat 01.01.05
Glentoran Vs Linfield – The Oval, Belfast.
Northern Irish Premier Division #13.

Glentoran 3-5-2: Elliott Morris – Jodie Hill, Sean Ward, Chris Walker – Paul Leeman, Scott Young, Gavin Melaugh, Scott Gordon – Damien McLaughlin, Michael Halliday, Darren Armour.

Weather: Dry, 7°C

On the Friday evening before the game, myself and Linfield boss Stephen Young appeared on national television to appeal for calm before, during and after the highly fraught fixture at The Oval. However, as usual, our appeals fell on deaf ears and trouble marred the build up to the game with trouble both around the ground and in Belfast city centre. Pride of the city was at stake, and having beaten Linfield so convincing in this fixture last season (5-0), they were out for revenge.

Rick Adair was given a taste of things sooner than he could have possibly imagined as with McCallion missing, he took a place on the bench. Linfield were without leading scorer Paul Dalglish, missing with a broken shoulder sustained in a league game two weeks earlier. Also missing was forward Darren McKay, thought to have had a training ground bust-up with Young earlier in the week.

Neither side wanted to lose this one, and the start to the game showed signs of both sides looking to size each other up. The game’s first chance came our way shortly after the twenty-minute mark. McLaughlin sent Melaugh away down the right, he checked his run and returned the pass to McLaughlin who by now was on the edge of the area. He shot low, and goalkeeper Mannus did well to clear.

McLaughlin went close again and forced pressure nearly allowed Gordon the perfect goalscoring opportunity but it wasn’t to be, not this time anyway. Linfield were soon on the attack themselves with Collier’s long ball finding Aaron Black who tested Morris from twenty yards. Morris did well to hold on and save.

The first half’s best chance fell to Damien McLaughlin, as had the majority of our opportunities in the opening period. Scott Young played him one-on-one with Mannus, but the goalkeeper’s legs won the battle and he hacked the ball to safety. McLaughlin had lost his nerve. The pressure coming down from the stands was intense.

The fans were clearly anxious, and it showed as scuffles broke out up and down the sectioned off area that separated the two sets of supporters. Reinforcements had to be brought in from Belfast police and order was restored, for the time being at least.

The second half wasn’t at all as frantic, and the game turned into a dire midfield battle. Chances were scarce. Time ticked by and with just two minutes on the clock Darren Armour had the ball in the Linfield goal. The ground erupted only for the linesman’s flag to call an abrupt end. Judging by the tension in the air, he was a brave man. The game finished soon after. Linfield will be far happier with the 0-0 scoreline then us.

Glentoran 0 – Linfield 0
Goals: None.
Attendance: 6,918
MoM: Alan Mannus (Linfield) – The goalkeeper kept his side in the game and earned them a point.

Shermanez

Despite signing a new one-year extension earlier in the week, by Friday I’m confronted with an offer from Glenavon for midfielder Andy Kilmartin. He’s hardly featured during my time at The Oval, and with £6,000 on the table, I tell him he’s free to go. Kilmartin leaves to talk with Jim Magilton.

Wed 05.01.05
Coleraine Vs Glentoran – Coleraine Showgrounds.
Northern Irish Premier Division #14.

Glentoran 3-5-2: Elliott Morris – Jodie Hill, Sean Ward, Chris Walker – Paul Leeman, Scott Young, Gavin Melaugh, Scott Gordon – Andy Smith, Michael Halliday, Darren Armour.

Weather: Dry, 3°C

Just days after the clash with Linfield, we’re involved in another crucial game with our first meeting of the season with league leaders Coleraine. Due to the last’s few week’s lack of form, Coleraine have opened a six point gap at the top of the table so three points this afternoon are crucial if we’re to close the gap anytime soon. Andy Smith is a welcomed addition to the line-up, with Damien McLaughlin dropping back into the reserve team. Smith has been out of sorts in recent weeks, though injuries have hindered his last few months.

The game is just seven minutes old and we find ourselves a goal down, and to be fair to Coleraine it’s a mighty fine goal at that. Left-back Lee Flynn brought the ball forward, hitting a long searching ball that found David Moffatt on the edge of our area. His flick-on was to perfection and Dominic Sheppard lashed the ball past Morris on the volley to give the home side the ideal start.

The early goal wasn’t a fluke either, and the game continued at a rapid pace. We weren’t out of the races just yet and a neat ball from Scott Gordon found Armour in space inside the area. He shot high and cleared the crossbar. A month again it would have nestled in the top corner. Another chance arrived four minutes later, only for Andy Smith to slide the ball wide of the far post. He made no mistake seconds later though, as he coolly rounded Stewart Ingham and rolled the ball into the back of the Coleraine net to tie the game up at 1-1 after 14 minutes.

The game was shaping up to be a real cracker, played at 110mph. Smith broke away clear down the right, exchanged passes with Armour and hit the by-line. His ball back into the box was good, defender Flynn could only half clear and Armour smashed the ball back past Ingham to give us the lead. 2-1.

It certainly wasn’t a good that Alan Hansen would enjoy watching. The defending from both sides was awful and before long Coleraine had equalised through Rory Hamill. At 2-2, I hoped we’d have enough left in the tank to go again in the second half, and perhaps go for the win. The sending off of Scott Gordon changed things though Coleraine were there for the taking if we could just tighten things up at the back but it wasn’t to be. They galloped away, with Neil Mallon and Dominic Sheppard extending the home side’s lead and sending us back to The Oval with our tails firmly between our legs.

Coleraine 4 – Glentoran 2
Goals: Sheppard 1-0, Smith 1-1, Armour 1-2, Hamill 2-2, Mallon 3-2, Sheppard 4-2.
Attendance: 4,012
MoM: David Moffatt (Coleraine) – Lead the line well.

retired_loubou

It's nice to see that this story is still going, Gino.

One of the best reads on the board IMO. :thup:

Shermanez

Thanks bjorn

The win extended Coleraine’s lead at the top of the table to nine points, whilst Linfield shortened the gap to third to just three. We needed a change of fortune, and quickly. With Gordon and Sean Ward sent to miss games through suspension, I couldn’t see where it would come from. Meanwhile, midfielder Andrew Kilmartin left the club, signing a three-year deal with Glenavon.

Sat 08.01.05
Institute Vs Glentoran – Riverside Stadium, Drumahoe
Northern Irish Premier Division #15.

Glentoran 3-5-2: Elliott Morris – Jodie Hill, Gary Smyth, Chris Walker – Paul Leeman, Scott Young, Gavin Melaugh, Darren Lockhart – Andy Smith, Michael Halliday, Darren Armour.

Weather: Dry, 4°C

“Glentoran returned to winning ways in fine style this afternoon with a thumping 4-0 victory away at struggling Institute. No win in three league games represents something of a slump for success hungry Glenmen, and today they made sure they bounced back, doing so in fine style.

With Sean Ward and Scott Gordon both out through suspension, recalls to the side went to both Gary Smyth and Darren Lockhart and it was the inclusion of Lockhart that seemed to add some much needed guile to the midfield. Glentoran manager Stan Ginozola spoke before the game of wanting his players to show that they were hungry for a third successive title and he’ll have been delighted tonight by what he saw.”

Glentoran took the lead after 17th minutes through Andy Smith. Paul Leeman sent a ball over the top, aimed at Darren Armour. The Glens’ leading scorer won the header and Smith galloped clear, defying calls of offside from the ‘Stute defenders. His rifled strike from 18-yards left Declan Devine grasping at thin air and Glentoran were ahead.

Three minutes later and they’d scored again. Armour was again involved, hitting a slide rule pass inside the ‘Stute left-back allowing Andy Smith time to draw Devine before rolling the ball across goal to the grateful Scott Young who tucked away his seventh of the campaign.

The game was won before the interval with Armour getting a goal to go with his two assists. Jodie Hill hit a ball over the top, Armour controlled and turned Geoff Healy inside out and shot past Devine to make it 3-0. Scott Young nodded in a corner from the right before the half-time whistle blew and Glentoran had themselves a fine victory. With Coleraine beating Distillery, Glentoran’s win took on even more importance with the gap staying at nine points.”

Institute 0 – Glentoran 4
Goals: Smith 1-0, Young 2-0, Armour 3-0, Young 4-0.
Attendance: 2,602
MoM: Scott Young (Glentoran) – Two goals from midfield.

Shermanez

Following England’s dismal display in Portugal at Euro 2004 and the subsequent sacking of Swede Sven Goran Eriksson, the Football Association appoint Steve McLaren as the new man at the helm. Upon taking the job, McLaren promised comfortable qualification for the World Cup held in Germany in 2006.

Wed 12.01.05
Glentoran Vs Limavady United – The Oval, Belfast.
Northern Irish Premier Division #16.

Glentoran 3-5-2: Elliott Morris – Jodie Hill, Gary Smyth, Chris Walker – Paul Leeman, Scott Young, Gavin Melaugh, Darren Lockhart – Andy Smith, Michael Halliday, Rick Adair.

Weather: Dry, 8°C

The second half of the league campaign gets underway at The Oval, with Limavady United the visitors for the 16th game of the season. The visitors come to East Belfast on the back on two fine victories, beating both Newry Town and Ballymena United comfortably to lift them three places up the Smirnoff Premier Division to 10th.

Despite Sean Ward back available for selection after a one-game ban, I continue with Gary Smyth. He performed admirably at Institute and deserves another chance to make a shout for a more permanent place in the side. It’s a dry night, and not as chilly as in recent weeks and the weather appears to have tempted a few more supporters down to the ground. There’s a good atmosphere as the players emerge from the tunnel, and before long the ground is alive with noise. The biggest cheer of the night is given to debutant Rick Adair, in the side for his full debut in place of the injured Armour.

We almost get off to the perfect start, from an unlikely source. Rick Adair broke down the left-wing and cut a ball back across the area. Scott Young swung off his marker and laid the ball into the path of the oncoming Chris Walker who blazed a stinging drive against the Limavady crossbar. Doherty was well beaten but unfortunate it cannoned away and behind for a goal kick. We didn’t have long to wait for the opening goal though.

It arrived from debutant Adair, and what a goal it was. Gavin Melaugh’s deep cross was only half cleared and Adair jumped high and acrobatically slammed the ball past Doherty with a sublime overhead kick that would have taken the goalkeeper’s hands off had he been daft enough to get in the way of it. Adair’s celebration was one of sheer delight. A Glenman scoring on his full debut at the Oval, the supporters took to him instantly.

Despite losing Jodie Hill to injury (replaced by Mark Glendinning), we built on our fine start with Adair grabbing his second. It wasn’t as flashy as his first, a simple tap-in following neat work from strike partner Andy Smith but it meant just as much as he charged over the perimeter hoardings to celebrate with his own.

The game was wrapped up with three minutes to go with Andy Smith making it 3-0 with a near-post header. It was a good thing he did, as deep into injury time Gerard Moore scored a consolation goal from eight-yards out. Still, we took the three points. Back in the dressing room, I discovered Coleraine and Linfield had both won, so it was another case of status quo as far as the league was concerned.

Glentoran 3 – Limavady United 1
Goals: Adair 1-0, Adair 2-0, Smith 3-0, Moore 3-1.
Attendance: 2,029
MoM: Andy Smith (Glentoran) – Back to his best.

Shermanez

Coleraine’s 1-0 win over Cliftonville was their sixth straight league win on the spin.

Sat 15.01.05
Portadown Vs Glentoran – Shamrock Park
Northern Irish Premier Division #17.

Glentoran 3-5-2: Elliott Morris – Sean Ward, Gary Smyth, Chris Walker – Paul Leeman, Scott Young, Gavin Melaugh, Darren Lockhart – Andy Smith, Michael Halliday, Rick Adair.

Weather: Wet, 3°C

“It’s fair to say Glentoran have the Indian Sign over Portadown at the moment. Fed will have forgotten last season’s titanic race for the title that ended with The Glens pipping Portadown on the final day of the season. Today, Glentoran once again showed that they can perform when the going gets tough, and came out with an extraordinary 5-2 victory from a game in which they fell behind after just twelve minutes.

With Jodie Hill missing with injury, Sean Ward was back in the side at sweeper. It was a move that seemed to suit Ward and he looked comfortable bringing the ball out of defensive on numerous occasions, however, he was at fault for the game’s opening goal.

Perhaps that’s a little harsh. Conor Forker danced down the right flank, and after beating Gary Smyth for pace, encountered Ward who’d come across to cover. Forker slipped the ball past the on rushing defender, who slipped and allowed Forker a free run on goal. Out-numbering the rest of the Glen defence, Forker shaped to slide the ball to Gary Hamilton before shooting himself and beating Morris inside his near post.

Thankfully, Glentoran didn’t let it affect their game plan, though Stan Ginozola was clearly pulling his hair out on the touchline. Before long, they were back in the game. Michael Halliday collected a free-kick taken by Walker, turned well and fed in Andy Smith. Smith bore down on goal, goalkeeper David Wells came out, and last season’s leading goalscorer simply lifted the ball over him and into the back of the Portadown net. 1-1.

Despite drawing level, Portadown enjoyed the remainder of the first-half. Kyle Neil was proving to be a real threat for the Shamrock Park club, and it was his cross that allowed Richard Clarke time and space to nod just his second goal in 23 games. Again, Glentoran didn’t let their heads drop, and a quick burst down the left flank early in the second half saw Cullen Feeney hack down Gavin Melaugh and the referee had little option but to issue a game changing red card.

With the extra man, Glentoran had the upper hand. Using the extra space to their advantage, they shuffled the ball around menacingly, waiting for the right time to strike. It arrived three minutes later, as Sean Ward collected a pass from Melaugh and shot low to equalise.

Portadown weren’t finished and Elliott Morris had to be alert to keep the scores level, though it wasn’t like that for long, with Rick Adair making it three in two as he headed past Wells to give his side the lead. Again, the passion in Adair’s eyes was clear to see and the Glentoran supporters chanted his name almost as often as they sang the praises of Andy Smith.

Portadown were well beaten and offered little idea as to how to get back into the game. Scott Young was beginning to find more and more space from midfield and after having a tester that rattled Wells’ crossbar, he fired two late goals, almost the mirror image of the other, that gave the game a comprehensive 5-2 scoreline. Yet again though, scores around the league didn’t go Glentoran’s way with Linfield and Coleraine both winning yet again. Status quo was maintained."

Portadown 2 – Glentoran 5
Goals: Forker 1-0, Smith 1-1, Clarke 2-1, Ward 2-2, Adair 2-3, Young 2-4, Young 2-5.
Attendance: 4,248
MoM: Scott Young (Glentoran) – Two more goals to add to the midfielder’s impressive tally.

Shermanez

Reserve-team member Chris Ward completed a move to local Second Division side East Belfast on Monday morning. He linked up with the Inverary Playing Fields club for three months during which time he’ll help them stave off relegation. At 21, Ward hasn’t quite developed how many at The Oval would have liked and a spell of first-team action might well do him some good.

A new deal was offered to Darren Lockhart, who had six months left to run on his current deal. If accepted, Lockhart will stay at the Oval for another three seasons at least. The Glentoran supporters were understandably delighted.

A couple of first team squad members collected niggling injuries during the week. Substitute goalkeeper Ronan Skelton was back on Jim Weatherup’s treatment table having damaged a foot (2 weeks) and experienced centre-half Gary Smyth suffered a setback to a recurring shoulder injury and like Skelton would require two weeks rest from action. On Thursday evening, Jodie Hill goes over on his ankle, needing three weeks treatment and with Chris Walker out through suspension, we’re suddenly left missing three key components of our defence.

Full-back Colin Nixon was becoming increasingly concerned about his first-team place, announcing the fact to the country in an article in the Belfast Telegraph. Nixon hasn’t featured for some weeks, mainly due to the fact that the formation doesn’t allow it. I tell him he’s still a part of my plans but that he’s free to move out on loan should there be sufficient interest. One player who is going out on loan is young goalkeeper Ian Mannus, allowed to join Ards Rangers on a three-month deal.

retired_hafa2915

Enjoyed the story at work a lot hehe. Been somewhat of a slow day. Very nice read. You have to get into Europe to get out of the debt otherwise it won't work. There are no big bucks in Norhtern Irish Football

retired_thrice363

are we going to see anymore Gino of this great story

Shermanez

Hi guys, thanks for the interest. I've moved into a new house in Manchester so not been around on the net much. Now I'll sorted I'll try and post a bit more often.

Sat 22.01.05
Glentoran Vs Armagh City – The Oval, Belfast
Irish Cup 5th Round.

Glentoran 3-5-2: Elliott Morris – Sean Ward, Mark Glendinning, Stephen Gourley – Paul Leeman, Scott Young, Gavin Melaugh, Darren Lockhart – Andy Smith, Darren Armour, Rick Adair.

Weather: Dry, 11°C

There were a number of enforced changes for our first taste of Irish Cup action in the 5th Round. First Division strugglers Armagh City were the visitors and our patched-up defence was made up of Sean Ward, Mark Glendinning and youngster Stephen Gourley. Darren Armour also came back into the side, replacing Michael Halliday who dropped out of contention. Armour lined up alongside Andy Smith and the in-form Rick Adair. I hadn’t intended to play the new boy so soon but his form forced my hand.

And I was glad it did. Just ten minutes in and a long throw from Gavin Melaugh was flicked on by Andy Smith and Adair finished with his right instep to put us into an early lead. He was making this goalscoring lark look easy. He almost had a second on the half-hour, when good work from Scott Young provided a chance but Johnny Poole did well to save and keep his side in the game at the interval.

Trialist goalkeeper Neil Smith was on the bench due to Skelton’s injury and for a few nervy moments it looked as though he was going to be needed on the field when a stray Armagh boot caught Elliott Morris right between the eyes. He was a little shaky for a few moments but thankfully brushed himself down and returned to his goal. Smith’s chance to impress would have to wait.

Scott Gordon replaced Paul Leeman in the second period as we pushed for the second goal that would put the result beyond doubt. Adair almost found it with his second but Poole was again a match. Armagh’s forward line were barely featuring, and had yet to register a shot on target. On the hour, Poole’s long goal kick was flicked on by Adrian Larkin and as the ball bounced up at Mark Glendinning it appeared to strike his arm. Referee David Ross was on the spot and a penalty was awarded. Fortunately, Craig Martin’s effort came back of the post and we maintained our lead.

Rick Adair wrapped the game and our progression through to the Sixth Round up with five minutes left on the clock, and as the game drew to a close, Andy Smith added a third for good measure. It was a fine win, and our reward was a tasty clash with Portadown at The Oval in what was certainly the tie of Round Six, set to be played on Saturday 19th February.

Glentoran 3 – Armagh City 0
Goals: Adair 1-0, Adair 2-0, Smith 3-0.
Attendance: 4,407
MoM: Rick Adair (Glentoran) – Goals 4 and 5 of his Glentoran career gave him the award.