Shermanez

Wed 17.09.03
Dungannon Swifts Vs Glentoran – Newry Showgrounds.
League Cup Group 3 #6

Glentoran 4-4-2: Elliott Morris - Colin Nixon, Mark Glendinning (c), Sean Ward, Chris Walker - Darren Armour, Darren Lockhart, Richard Stansfield, Scott Young – Andy Smith, Damien McLaughlin.

Weather: Dry, 10°C

Last season’s inspirational captain, centre-half Chris Walker returns after spending the early part of the season out with a facial injury. The game with Dungannon Swifts brings the League Cup group campaign to a close and we are looking to go out on a high note, with the league season starting on Saturday with a trip to Ballymena.

With Tommy McCallion missing, Andy Smith makes his first start since scoring against FC Flora Tallinn in July. Victory is still important for Dungannon, still in need of three points to make sure of their place in the Quarter-Finals. Thankfully, we come out on top with Smith’s flick-on finding Damien McLaughlin who fired the game’s only goal three minutes into the second period.

Chris Walker is particularly impressive alongside Sean Ward and gives me a big selection headache with regards to who starts on Saturday. Walker’s performance has almost guaranteed his place whilst both Sean Ward and Gary Smyth have been solid throughout.

Dungannon Swifts 0 – Glentoran 1
Goals: McLaughlin 1-0.
Attendance: 1,525
MoM: Chris Walker (Glentoran) – Superb return performance from the inspirational captain.

Shermanez

The draw for the Quarter-Finals takes place after the final whistle with our reward for qualification a home tie against Group 4 winners Institute. The game is scheduled for Tuesday 23rd September.

John McAuley is again grabbing the headlines with the Under 18 side, scoring twice as Jimmy Brown’s young side ran out 6-0 winners over Limavady United at The Oval.

Sat 20.09.03
Glentoran Vs Ballymena United – The Oval.
Northern Irish League Premier Division #1

Glentoran 4-4-2: Elliott Morris - Colin Nixon, Mark Glendinning (c), Sean Ward, Chris Walker - Darren Armour, Darren Lockhart, Richard Stansfield (Michael O’Neil), Scott Young - Andy Smith, Damien McLaughlin.

Weather: Wet, 9°C

Sean Ward is selected to partner to Chris Walker with Gary Smyth taking a place on the bench. Ballymena are a side we know very well having beaten them twice in recent league cup matches and goals from Danny McLaughlin and Andy Smith, laying on goals for each other, see us 2-0 ahead at the break.

Michael O‘Neil was introduced at the break, replacing Richard Stansfield in the centre of midfield. Ballymena’s Gareth McLaughlin was a constant threat during both League up group games, and he is at it again, crashing a twenty-yard strike off the cross bar within just sixty seconds of the restart. The chance seems to kick us back into action and before long Darren Lockhart has broken down the right to cross for Damien McLaughlin to head his second. A late Shea Campbell strike proves to be nothing more than a consolation goal.

Glentoran 3 – Ballymena United 1
Goals: McLaughlin 1-0, Smith 2-0, McLaughlin 3-0, Campbell 3-1.
Attendance: 1,549
MoM: Andy Smith (Glentoran) – A goal and an assist earns Smith the reward, having shown superb attacking play throughout.

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

Shermanez

Tues 23.09.03
Glentoran Vs Institute – The Oval.
League Cup Qtr Final

Glentoran 4-4-2: Elliott Morris - Colin Nixon, Mark Glendinning (c), Sean Ward, Chris Walker - Darren Armour, Darren Lockhart, Richard Stansfield, Scott Young - Andy Smith, Damien McLaughlin.

Weather: Wet, 8°C

There was just the one change for Tuesday’s night League Cup Quarter-Final clash with Institute at The Oval. Injury to Mark Glendinning in Monday’s training session forced the left-back into two-week rehabilitation so Tim McCann was recalled from the reserve side to slot in. Glendinning’s captain’s armband went across the backline to right full-back Colin Nixon.

Opponents Institute got their season off to a solid start on Saturday with a 2-2 draw at Coleraine. Midfielder Darren McCreary certainly seems to be the side’s danger man, having found the net three times from midfield already. To be brutally honest, I wasn’t particularly keen on progression in the League Cup but as holders, we had a duty to perform. A suicidal back pass from Mark McCrystal gifted Andy Smith his fifth goal of the season to open the scoring four minutes before the break.

Our passage through to the Semi-Finals was sealed when Sean Ward headed in a right-wing corner for his first of the season.

Glentoran 2 – Institute 0
Goals: Andy Smith 1-0, Ward 2-0.
Attendance: 1,526
MoM: Andy Smith (Glentoran) – A strong display of front running sealed with a goal gives Smithy his second consecutive MoM award.

Shermanez

Again the draw for the next round takes place immediately after the full-time whistle resulting us being paired with an away tie at Linfield. The game would take place at Linfield’s Windsor Park home in three weeks time.

Youngster Marc Wilson was one of the few players to come out of the Under 18s 3-0 defeat away at Crusaders. Wilson has be a tower of strength for Jimmy Brown’s men throughout the season and may soon make the step up into the reserve side.

Sat 27.09.03
Distillery Vs Glentoran – New Grosvenor Stadium.
Northern Irish League Premier Division #2

Glentoran 4-4-2: Elliott Morris - Colin Nixon (c), Tim McCann, Sean Ward, Chris Walker - Darren Armour, Darren Lockhart, Richard Stansfield, Scott Young - Andy Smith, Damien McLaughlin (Tommy McCallion).

Weather: Dry, 10°C

Tommy McCallion is back in contention following his return to match fitness and he takes Gary Smyth’s place on the bench for our first league away trip of the season at Distillery. Our hosts have made a poor start to the season having failed to progress past the League Cup’s group stages and losing the season opener away at Crusaders.

The first half is dominated by the home side though fine keeping from Elliott Morris keeps us in the game. A free-kick from Chris Deegan crashed off the crossbar before Morris tipped wide from Distillery striker Conor Downey. A half-chance to Andy Smith almost broke the deadlock though his header flashed wide of Scullion’s post to make sure it stayed 0-0 at half-time.

This evening’s fixture was a game dominated by both goalkeepers with Elliott Morris and Stephen Scullion making fine saves to keep the scores at zero. Scullion was the busier of the two stoppers, saving well from both Morris and Smith before referee Mark Courtney.

Lisburn Distillery 0 - Glentoran 0
Goals: None.
Attendance: 1,539
MoM: Stephen Scullion (Distillery) – Either goalkeeper could have taken the award but Scullion’s save from Andy Smith was crucial in earning his side a point.

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

Shermanez

The Northern Irish County Antrim Cup draw took place pairing us up with an away trip to Northern Irish League First Division side Ballyclare Comrades. The game is scheduled for Tuesday 28th October.

Sat 04.10.03
Glentoran Vs Glenavon – The Oval.
Northern Irish League Premier Division #3

Glentoran 4-4-2: Elliott Morris - Colin Nixon, Mark Glendinning (c), Sean Ward, Chris Walker - Darren Armour, Darren Lockhart, Richard Stansfield (Tommy McCallion), Scott Young - Andy Smith, Damien McLaughlin.

Weather: Wet, 13°C

Glenavon have collected just the one point so far this season, whilst go into the game looking to make it eleven competitive games without defeat. With this in mind, you can imagine my surprise when Craig McCracken turned home a long ball from Dean Smith to give the visitors an early lead.

We’re soon back in the game with chances falling to both McLoughlin and Darren Lockhart. Glenavon ‘keeper Karl Keating is equal to the both of those but he can do nothing to stop Andy Smith’s powerful header to tie the game up at 1-1 going into the interval. At half-time, I decide to give it five minutes before throwing on Tommy McCallion as a third striker with Richard Stansfield being sacrificed.

It doesn’t take long for the move to work as prolonged pressure leads to Smith finding McCallion inside the area and a sharp turn gave him his first goal since scoring against Ballymena United in the first of our League Cup group fixtures. Glenavon have a flurry of late corners but offer little in terms of a cutting edge and we collect our second league victory of the season.

Glentoran 2 – 1 Glenavon
Goals: 0-1 McCracken, 1-1 Smith, 2-1 McCallion.
Attendance: 1,562
MoM: Karl Keating (Glenavon) – Despite finishing on the losing side, Keating did all he could to keep Glenavon in the game.

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

Raptor

Solid start as ever Gino. :thup:

Wanna help try make Belfast the new capital of CMS?

Shermanez

Haha, sounds good to me Rap! Thanks for reading! :thup:

Speaking to a national newspaper, midfielder Gavin Melaugh voices concerns over his recent omission from the first-team. With Scott Young, Richard Stansfield and Darren Armour in such good form, Melaugh has found his path to the side blocked and has spent recent weeks with Jimmy Brown’s reserve team.

In an amazing turn of events in Trikala, the Northern Ireland national side pulled off an astonishing 6-2 victory over Greece in the final match of their European Championship Qualification campaign. Hearts’ striker finished with a four goal haul with Preston’s David Healy hitting a brace.

Tues 14.10.03
Linfield Vs Glentoran – Windsor Park.
League Cup Semi Final

Glentoran 4-4-2: Elliott Morris - Colin Nixon, Mark Glendinning (c), Sean Ward, Chris Walker - Darren Armour, Darren Lockhart, Richard Stansfield (Young), Gavin Melaugh (McCallion) - Andy Smith, Damien McLaughlin.

Weather: Wet, 8°C

Arguably the biggest test of the season so far came in the Semi Finals of the League Cup with an away trip to Linfield. In a real crunch battle between two of Northern Ireland’s heavyweights, I recalled Gavin Melaugh to the side in a bid to boost the youngster’s morale. Having spoken at length during the Quarter Finals about the lack of importance in the League Cup, things suddenly change when we’re drawn to play one of Glentoran’s biggest rivals.

The game is all its cracked up to be and both sides clearly don’t want to lose. Linfield defend strongly with Noel Bailie and William Murphy whilst our own lion heart defenders Chris Walker and Sean Ward keep things safe in front of Elliott Morris. Linfield shade much of the first half with Glenn Ferguson going close before Murphy hit Morris’ crossbar with a far post header.

Things changed after the half-time period with Tommy McCallion linking up with McLoughlin and Smith to create a pronged-three attack. The new look brings us back into the game and for the final twenty minute we bombard the Linfield goal with everything but the kitchen sink. Murphy is forced to hack the ball off the line when McCallion’s shot appeared to be creeping in and Andy Smith’s drive crashed back into play off the post.

Shermanez

Even into injury time Linfield were having chances to win the game when neat work on the right from Larmour allowed Phil Charnock a header that just crept over. Needless to say, the game went to extra-time. Andy Smith actually had the ball in the Linfield net with thirty seconds of the extra period getting under way only for it to be ruled out through outside. Substitute Alan Neil went clean through for the home side only to shoot weakly into the grateful arms of Elliott Morris and the balance swung yet again.

Half-time in Extra-time passed without change in scoreline before slack marking at the back allowed Doug Larmour to race clear on Elliott Morris. Morris attempted to stay big but was well beaten by the Linfield striker, who’s shot crept inside the far post to give the Blues the lead with just twelve minutes left on the clock.

We threw everything into getting an equaliser and just thirty seconds later a throwing on the right was flicked on by Darren Armour and Damien McLoughlin turned gleefully to fire past Alan Mannus and equalise!!!

In scenes reminiscent to those when Chesterfield equalised against Middlesbrough in the Semi Final of the 1997/98 FA Cup, I rushed around my technical area a la John Duncan, only I managed to keep my glasses on.

With the game restarted, we again attacked down the right, forcing a thrown-in. Nixon found Young, who turned and sprayed a lovely cross-field pass to Darren Lockhart. Lockhart’s rising drive was claimed by Mannus.

Four minutes left now as Mannus hits the goal kick long and forces a panicked clearance from the normally ice cool Sean Ward, allowing the home side to sling a long-throw into our area. Thankfully, Morris is on hand to claim and boot clear.

McLaughlin challenges for the high ball with Larmour, who’s caught by a flailing elbow. Struggling off, Linfield are forced to move goalkeeper Mannus up field with only reserve-team goalkeeper Greg Shannon left on the bench. Seconds tick by and with the game seemingly over, Linfield are awarded a free-kick on the edge of our area. They throw everyone up, only for it to be quickly cleared leaving Andy Smith and Damien McLoughlin two-on-one! Seconds seem like minutes but before long Smith is galloping in on the Linfield penalty area. Choosing to pass, he finds McLoughlin who’s low drive is beaten clear by Shannon, coinciding with the game’s final whistle. Penalties.

Shermanez

We gather in the centre-circle, a huddle of Blue and a huddle of Green. Players put themselves forward with Tommy McCallion offering to go first. Captain Mark Glendinning is called away for the t0ss and returns to tell us they’ll take first.

So Elliott Morris is next to leave the group, willed on by his team-mates to stay big and make a much needed save. Mind games are in order as he readjusts Peter Marks’ placed ball on the penalty spot. Linfield fans behind the goal hurl abuse and even coins but Morris looks composed. Marks steps up, it’s a fine penalty and Morris is well beaten.

Now it’s Tommy’s turn and he walks forward coolly, placing the ball on the spot. We all know he’ll score, Tommy knows he’ll score and, more importantly, Linfield goalkeeper Greg Shannon knows he’ll score. He shoots down the centre, Shannon goes left, he scores, 1-1.

Morris returns to his office to face midfielder Ryan McCann. Again coins reign down on his goal but Morris stares directly at the taker. McCann shoots, it’s a poor penalty but Morris is unable to keep it from crossing the line. The pendulum swings in Linfield’s favour once again.

It’s midfielder Scott Young who volunteers to go next. He’s struts forward, looking confident, perhaps a bit too confident. It’s a weak penalty and Shannon bats it away. Linfield keep their lead.

Phil Charnock is next to kick for the home side. Morris stands on his line and Charnock’s penalty is struck. The ball goes left, Morris also goes left though unfortunately cannot keep it out. 3-1 Linfield.

It’s the goalscorer Damien McLaughlin’s turn to take now. He looks nervous, he’s still only a kid. A seasoned veteran would struggle in front of those Linfield fans. Shannon seems confident, even taking the time to tie his shoelaces before McLaughlin shoots. The youngster turns, takes two strides and fairly thumps the ball past Shannon into the top left-hand corner. A fantastic penalty! 3-2.

We need a save now. Linfield sub Alan Neill is next up for the home side, as his name rings out around Windsor Park. Morris takes his position on the goalline and again focuses on the taker. Neill dries his hands on his shirt, glancing up into the stand behind Morris. He steps up, shoot lefts and Morris saves!!!

Shermanez

Now it’s over to Darren Lockhart. Elliott has given us the chance, can Darren take it? He makes his way forward slowly, as boos and heckles sound out around the ground. Removing a glass bottle from the penalty area, Lockhart is taking his time. He’s dries the ball, and places it down. After receiving referee John Ferry’s signal, he steps up and hits the ball side-footed. Shannon’s guessed the right way, but the ball squirms under his body and we’re back level!!!

And so, the fifth round of penalties begins. Pat McShane marches forward for the home side. McShane, a left-back, is not renown for his shooting abilities but heart and determination can count for as much at times like these. He shoots, Morris dives but the wrong way, McShane’s penalty nestles inside the post. Advantage Linfield, 4-3.

It’s over to midfielder Darren Armour. He jogs forward, collecting the ball with a neat flick and marching the ball, in hand, towards the penalty spot. Greg Shannon stands on his line, hands on knees, focusing. Armour steps up, shoots and can only watch as Shannon guesses right and parries the ball away. Armour sinks to his knees and Shannon is buried under a pile of Blue bodies. The ground erupts.

I make my way forward with skipper Mark Glendinning at my side. Armour’s inconsolable, as is Scott Young, the other player who missed a spot-kick. Times like these are difficult - especially against the auld-enemy - and I’m left wondering how I’ll lift the troops for Saturday’s trip to Omagh Town.

Linfield 1 – Glentoran 1 (Linfield win 4-3 on penalties)
Goals: Larmour 1-0, McLoughlin 1-1.
Attendance: 7,841
MoM: William Murphy (Linfield) – Any number of players from either could have laid claim to the award but Linfield’s inspirational centre-half stood out.