Shermanez

Following our recent hectic schedule, having the following Saturday free of games was something of a godsend. We were back in action on Tuesday evening, the 30th of March, with a home clash with arch-rivals Cliftonville. Marty Tabb’s side were in real danger of slipping into the relegation zone and as a result, Tabb’s job was on the line.

Tues 30.03.04
Glentoran Vs Cliftonville – The Oval.
Northern Irish Premier Division #28.

Glentoran 5-3-2: Elliott Morris – Jodie Hill, Gary Smyth, Mark Glendinning, Colin Nixon, Sean Ward – Gavin Melaugh, Scott Young, Darren Lockhart – Andy Smith, Tommy McCallion.

Weather: Wet, 14°C

“The highest league crowd of the season was in attendance at ‘The Oval’ as Glentoran took on arch-rivals Cliftonville with both sides having a different agenda. For the Glenmen, victory was crucial in the bid to secure their second consecutive title whilst Belfast rivals Cliftonville were simply looking to scramble enough points to maintain their Premier Division status. With manager Marty Tabb’s job on the line, this was one the men from Solitude desperately wanted to win.

Stan Ginozola had the relative pleasure of having a full strength squad to choose from, bar Paul Leeman who has of course missed much of the last two months. On their last outing the men from ‘The Oval’ stuck five goals past season-long leaders Portadown to clamber to the top of the league with three league games remaining. Ginozola spoke out publicly in midweek, praising his players for all their hard work, and rightly so, six consecutive league wins have breathed a new air of life into the club.

And so to the game. As expected, Glentoran enjoyed large spells of possession inside the opening ten minutes, taking the game to their arch-rivals. Credit where credit is due, Cliftonville put up a good fight, even some would say, having the better chances with Morris called into save twice from Gilmore and then Quigley.

Glentoran took the lead in the 24th minute when Andy Smith started and finished a move to add to his ever-increasing tally. A long ball from Smith found Gordon, who advanced on the away area before crossing for Smith who had continued his run to head past Straney. The home fans didn’t have to wait long for the second either, with Smith following up McCallion’s saved effort to shoot his second of the evening.

Cliftonville looked like a side who know their fate and this reporter can only see their season ending in relegation. The Glenmen added a third just seconds into the third period. Again Smith was the scorer, robbing Daly before shooting high into the back of the Cliftonville net. But still their scoring wasn’t over, Tommy McCallion’s hard work all evening was rewarded when Young laid on his seventeenth of the season.

With Portadown and the rest of the league not playing until tomorrow night, this result will make Ginozola’s wait a little easier. One thing is for sure, the Portadown results may not even become an issue if Glentoran keep up this relentless football. Victories over Linfield and Institute and the title is theirs."

Glentoran 4 – Cliftonville 0
Goals: Smith 1-0, Smith 2-0, Smith 3-0, McCallion 4-0.
Attendance: 3,281
MoM: Andy Smith (Glentoran) – Another game and more goals for Smith whose hat-trick takes his tally to an astonishing sixteen goals in sixteen league starts in a season hampered by injury.

On Wednesday evening I was in Bangor to see Ards take on Portadown in many thought earlier in the season would be the title-deciding clash. Tony Smith gave Portadown the lead after just two minutes though a Martin Hunter strike just after the hour tied the game up at 1-1. However, Ards’ slim hopes of taking the title were dashed when late goals from Vinny Arkins and Ciaran McKinney gave Portadown the win, cutting our late back to one solitary point going into the penultimate game of the season.

League Table – 28 Games: Glentoran (59pts); Portadown (58pts); Linfield (50pts); Ards (49pts); Coleraine (46pts); Dungannon (41pts); Ballymena Utd (40pts); Limavady Utd, Distillery (38pts); Glenavon (33pts); Newty (30pts); Institute (29pts); Cliftonville (29pts); Larne (28pts); Omagh (27pts); Crusaders (24pts).

Shermanez

For the second month running our good form on the field gave me the ‘Manager of the Month’ award, this time for March. We again enjoyed recognition in the goalscoring awards with Tommy McCallion’s strike opening goal against Portadown taking the ‘Goal of the Month’ equivalent.

Fri 02.04.04
Glentoran Vs Dungannon Swifts – Windsor Park.
Irish Cup Semi Final.

Glentoran 5-3-2: Elliott Morris – Jodie Hill, Colin Walker, Mark Glendinning, Colin Nixon, Sean Ward – Darren Armour, Scott Gordon, Darren Lockhart – Damien McLaughlin, Tommy McCallion.

Weather: Wet, 19°C

“Windsor Park, home of arch-rivals Linfield, provided the ‘neutral’ venue for the Irish Cup Semi Final between Glentoran and Dungannon Swifts on Friday evening. The Glenmen looking to follow up last season’s treble with a double with league and Irish Cup success, they were dealt a harsh blow with number one marksman Andy Smith picking up a knock to his neck in training and cruelly forced out of the game. It was a mark of Glentoran’s attacking strength when twenty-seven goal striker Damien McLaughlin was recalled from the bench for a surprise start.

A large number of supporters from both teams were in attendance with Dungannon to add the Irish Cup to last season’s First Division title. The semi final matches Dungannon’s furthest progression in the competition, matching their run in the 1987-88 season which was ended with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Glentoran. How Joe McAree’s men would have loved a reserve of that scoreline tonight.

The scoring got underway in just the sixth minute when a sweeping move taking in half the field was finished by Darren Armour for his first of the season. It was a goal right out of the coaching manual, with a fine strike eluding Pollock inside his near post.

Glentoran continued to dominate and were unfortunate not to go further ahead when Tommy McCallion’s strike came back off the Dungannon crossbar. He wasn’t to be denied much longer and added his name to the scoresheet on thirteen minutes. Lockhart found Young, Young crossed for Armour and his knock down was neatly finished by Glentoran’s summer signing from Derry City.

Stan Ginozola’s men were rampant and a third was not long in coming. Swifts failed to clear a long ball into the area and Damien McLaughlin was on hand to shoot the rebound back past Pollock from twenty-five yards. The ball was in the Dungannon net for a fourth time three minutes later but the lineman’s flag ruled Tommy McCallion’s effort out.

Dungannon were back in the tie on the hour mark when a flick-on from Berry found Niall Fleming free in the area. Elliott Morris could do nothing as his low strike beat him inside his near post. Glentoran were now living on the edge and Fleming again had the chance to score. His shot was blocked by Morris and in the resulting melee; Chris Walker somehow managed to scoop the ball up and away from danger.

Try as they might, the Swifts couldn’t find a further way back into the game and Glentoran’s defence held firm, maintaining their two-goal lead. Referee John Ferry brought the game to a close shortly after nine-thirty p.m. and the Glenmen’s double hopes continued. All thoughts now turn to next Saturday when Glentoran return to Windsor Park for the eagerly anticipated clash with Linfield."

Glentoran 3 – Dungannon Swifts 1
Goals: Armour 1-0, McCallion 2-0, McLaughlin 3-0, Fleming 3-1.
Attendance: 2,863
MoM: Darren Armour (Glentoran) – An early goal appeared to give Armour plenty of confidence to get forward and he also had a hand in the two later goals.

Shermanez

On Saturday I’m at ‘The Oval’ to watch the second semi final between First Division sides Ballinamallard United and the competition inaugural winners Moyola Park. In an exciting game, Moyola Park have all the chances but lose out to two strikes from Ballinamallard’s Gary Bonner. We will not meet Ballinamallard United in the Irish Cup Final at Windsor Park on Saturday 1st May 2003.

Sat 10.04.04
Linfield Vs Glentoran – Windsor Park.
Northern Irish Premier Division #29.

Glentoran 5-3-2: Elliott Morris – Jodie Hill, Gary Smyth, Mark Glendinning, Colin Nixon, Sean Ward – Gavin Melaugh, Scott Young, Darren Lockhart – Andy Smith, Tommy McCallion.

Weather: Wet, 21°C

“When Stan Ginozola took charge of Glentoran back in July, he demanded three things from his players, passion, commitment to the cause and goals. Today, his side took on arch-rivals Linfield in the ‘Big Two’ clash at Windsor Park knowing two victories from their final two games would give Glentoran their second title victory in two seasons.

Linfield caretaker-boss Brian McLaughlin spoke openly during the week about how his side would ‘love’ to stop the Glenmen from taking the title, and two rash challenges inside sixty seconds left no doubt in the minds of those watching just what was the order of the day. However, Ginozola’s men weren’t be kept quiet for too long. There’s a reason why they’re second top scorers in the division.

Two minutes in, an early free-kick was cleared by Chris Walker and Scott Young gathered in midfield. Looking up, he spotted the advancing McCallion and found him accurately. McCallion exchanged passes with Andy Smith and fairly leathered the return ball past goalkeeper Alan Mannus to give his side a dream start.

Unfortunately for the men from ‘The Oval’, it wasn’t to last. Paul Dalglish hit a fine ball down the right wing for Neill to chase. Chris Walker looked to challenge but could only just keep pace as the winger hit the by-line. His cross was good and Glenn Ferguson stooped to head an equaliser to silence the partying away fans behind the goal. His celebrations, kissing his Linfield badge and punching the air riled several Glentoran fans who were escorted from the ground. It was a sign of things to come.

Already fraught tensions were made worse with on-field events. Rhodri Thomas went in hard on Andy Smith leaving the Northern Ireland international in a heap just inside the Linfield half. Obviously upset at the treatment of his team-mate, Tommy McCallion steamed in and grabbed Thomas by the collar, sparking an eighteen man brawl that took nearly four minutes to clear. Four men received yellow cards for their troubles, two for each side, and the fighting continued around the ground where there was already a high police presence.

The rest of the first half remained goalless though it was not without chances. Back on his feet, Smith was unfortunate not to score when his header came back off the bar and Elliott Morris clawed what seemed a certain goal back off the line when Ferguson got up to win a header.

Glentoran regained their lead eight minutes into the second period with McCallion again the goalscorer. A long ball over the top could only be flicked on by Rhodri Thomas when attempting to clear. McCallion raced clear and with a trademark finish bent the ball out and around Mannus for a second of the afternoon.

It was a lead that Glentoran should have held until the final whistle but Linfield were level just after the hour. A throw-in from Dalglish found Michael Gault’s head which in turn found the back of the net. It was the last thing the Glenmen needed.

Late chances for Smith and McCallion were missed and Stan Ginozola eventually had to make do with a point, though only after on-field clashes between rival supporters were dispersed. Elsewhere, news from the vital game at Portadown came back disappointing for the Glenmen. Their rivals had beaten Newry Town 1-0 and were back on top of the Premier Division with a one-point lead with one to play."

Linfield 2 – Glentoran 2
Goals: McCallion 1-0, Ferguson 1-1, McCallion 2-1, Gault 2-2.
Attendance: 4,635
MoM: Tommy McCallion (Glentoran) – Having scored two goals, McCallion deserved to be on the winning side but it was just not to be.

League Table – 29 Games: Portadown (61pts); Glentoran (60pts); Linfield (51pts); Ards (50pts); Coleraine (49pts); Ballymena Utd (43pts); Dungannon (42pts); Limavady Utd (41pts); Distillery (38pts); Glenavon (36pts); Institute (32pts); Newry (30pts); Cliftonville (29pts); Larne (28pts); Omagh (27pts)

Shermanez

The First Division came to a close on Saturday afternoon with Bangor returning to the Premier Division as champions. Lurgan Celtic’s last day victory over Ballinamallard United means they’ll go into the Relegation Playoff Final to meet the bottom placed side from the Premier Division. Belfast side Brantwood finish rock bottom meaning they’ll start next season in the Second Division.

Mon 19.04.04
Glentoran Vs Institute – The Oval.
Northern Irish Premier Division #30.

Glentoran 5-3-2: Elliott Morris – Jodie Hill, Gary Smyth, Mark Glendinning, Colin Nixon, Sean Ward – Gavin Melaugh, Scott Young, Darren Lockhart – Andy Smith, Tommy McCallion.

Weather: Wet, 14°C

2.50pm – The Oval (Glentoran vs. Institute)

KL: “Hello and welcome to Belfast FM’s Football Show, I’m Kenny Leeman and I’m joined by my co-colleague Michael Stewart. It’s Bank Holiday, a day of rest for many around the United Kingdom, but they’ll be no relaxing around the Northern Irish Premier Division as today is the final day, the day when everything is settled. By tonight we’ll know just who has won the title and who has to settle for second place, we’ll also know who goes down, who stays up and who has to risk it all in the Relegation Playoffs.

MS: “And what a day have in store for you today. As always we’ll have reporters at every Premier Division ground ready to bring you up-to-the-minute news regarding your side. We also have full-match commentary of Glentoran’s clash with Institute where the right results can give Glentoran their second consecutive title, an achievement that looked nigh on impossible just two months ago.

KL: “Now on Saturday I caught up with Stan Ginozola, manager of Glentoran who told us just how preparations going into this weekend have been going.

SG: “Well it’s come down to the final weekend and it can still go either way which shows just how competitive the season has been. If we win, which I’m hoping we do, then we’ll be anxious of the Portadown result but if we only draw or even lose, then I’m expecting the title to end up at Shamrock Park by tea time. Let’s be honest, Portadown are a tremendous side but Larne will be fighting for their Premier Division status. I’d love to be a neutral sat at home listening to the results coming in because it’s going to be a real rollercoaster ride.

KL: “Institute’s season is over having staved off any threat of relegation with last Saturday’s comfortable victory over Crusaders. You must be confident of victory.

SG: “Well I am confident of victory, I always believe in my lads. You say Institute have little to play for, they have the chance to stop us from winning the title. That’s motivation enough. Paul Hegarty has got a good young side together, they play solid, organised football and I’m sure they’ll have a brighter year next season.

KL: “Do you have any injury problems ahead of the game?

SG: “Thankfully not, with the exception of Leeper [Paul Leeman] who’s been out for the last few months anyway. Gary Smyth and Stuart Long will both be available for selection and Andy Smith has come through a few training sessions this week without problem so he’ll be involved. Everything is going as well as it could be Kenny.

Shermanez

2.59pm – The Oval (Glentoran vs. Institute)

KL: “Welcome back to The Oval where the two sets of players from Glentoran and Institute are just about making their way out onto the field. There’s a tremendous atmosphere here, with the locals baying for a second consecutive championship. It’s not as though they don’t deserve it either, thirteen games unbeaten have clawed Stan Ginozola’s men back into contention and they go into today’s game knowing victory here and defeat for Portadown away at Larne will mean the title stays in East Belfast.

MS: “Just listen to that roar from the Glenmen inside ‘The Oval’, Kenny. This is what Irish League football is all about. We’ll be over to Inver Park in just a moment, where Gary Rogers is watching Portadown vs. Larne. Gary, its over to you.

3.00pm – Inver Park (Larne vs. Portadown)

GR: “Thanks Michael. The sides have just come out onto the field. There’s a large number of Portadown fans in the far corner hoping fortunes shine on their side today. They’ve done all the maths. A win will give them the title. A draw and a draw or defeat for the Glenmen will give them the title. But it’s not even that straight forward. Larne will want to have a say in proceedings themselves. The home side still need three points to be assured of their Premier Division status next season.

3.00pm – The Oval (Glentoran 0 – Institute 0)

KL: “Welcome back to ‘The Oval,’ where Tommy McCallion and Andy Smith are just about just about the get this game underway. Stan Ginozola is on the touchline in his trademark Glentoran tracksuit. Just imagine how he’ll be feeling right now. His first season in Irish Football and he’s one game away from taking the title.

MS: “Glentoran are kicking their favoured way Kenny, towards the home fans in the first half so they have the backing of all three sides of Glens fans behind them in the second. Whilst I think it’ll take more than that to give Glentoran the title, on days like these, every little thing can help.

Shermanez

3.03pm – The Oval (Glentoran 0 – Institute 0)

KL: “… and the loose ball is flicked behind for a corner by Institute defender Ricky Dunlop, Glentoran’s early pressure causing Institute problems here. Tommy McCallion will take it… he looks up and chips the ball towards the near post but it’s a poor one… he’ll get second chance. He finds Scott Gordon now on the edge of the area but Steven Parkhouse is in front of him. Gordon, plays the ball back to McCallion, who looks up and checks and hits a lovely ball into the box. Gordon flicks on, it’ll come to Scott YOUNG!!!! And Glentoran have taken an early lead! McCallion’s ball in, flicked on by Gordon and there was ‘Wee Scotty’ Young, on hand to head what could turn out to be a vital goal for his side!

MS: “I thought the chance was gone when McCallion’s corner was cleared but he managed to get it back in and I must say what a piece of bravery from Scottie Gordon there. He threw himself in where it hurts and Scott Young did exactly what was required in getting in front of his marker and powering a header past Declan Devine. What a start to the afternoon!”

3.05pm – The Oval (Glentoran 1 – Institute 0)

KL: “The early goal appears to have settled Glentoran, who look to come forward through Gavin Melaugh here. Melaugh looks up and finds goalscorer Scott Young just inside the Glens half… Young takes the ball under control before progressing to find Tommy McCallion… The Institute defence are backing off here and McCallion has time and space to come forward, thirty yards out now… McCallion, plays a short ball back to Young… who’s clipped a fine ball over the top of ‘Stute player/boss Hegarty for Smith to chase… He’s into the area, out comes Devine… he’s squared it… SCOTT YOUNG!!! It’s 2-0 inside five minutes! It might be early but if it stays like this, both here and at Inver Park, Glentoran have the title!

MS: “Well, well, well. What a move. Glentoran are tearing Institute to shreds here. Scott Young has set off like a house on fire. McCallion, Young and Smith were all involved in the build-up. Young’s ball over the top was precise and he continued his run to receive Smith’s unselfish cross to punish slack marking and grab his second of the afternoon. How are things at Inver Park, Gary? Larne vs. Portadown.

3.06pm – Inver Park (Larne 0 – Portadown 0)

GR: “Well it’s still goalless here but early Portadown pressure has lead to a couple of chances, and another here and resulted in a right-wing corner which Richard Clarke will take… Clarke… it’s a looping one, John Convery’s there!!! HE’S SCORED!!!! Portadown lead 1-0!!! The pendulum has swung back in Portadown’s favour!

retired_xs2khizar

Noooo Come one Larne

Best of luck for the next 84 minutes Gino :thup:

Shermanez

Thanks for reading nerf.

3.07pm – The Oval (Glentoran 2 – Institute 0)

KL: “I told you it’d be some afternoon folks. We’re only six minutes in and already I’m speechless. Let’s get things straight. If the scores stay the same until the full-time whistle, with both teams leading, it’s Portadown’s title.

MS: “News of Portadown’s goal is just filtering through to the fans here at ‘The Oval’ and again the tension is turned up a notch.

KL: “…but back on the field Glentoran are looking to make it three right away with Andy Smith… He’s cut in from the right… shoots low… great save Declan Devine!

MS: “Institute are being pulled apart here by Stan Ginozola’s men with the ‘Glenmen’ already looking good for their two goal lead.

KL: “I’m hearing news of another goal back at Inver Park. Back to you Gary.

3.08pm – Inver Park (Larne 0 – Portadown 1)

GR: “And it’s Larne’s Kieran O’Connor who has scored it!! A fine cross field ball from full-back Hughes caught the Portadown defence napping and Adam Hamilton’s flick on found Sean Armstrong on the edge of the area. Armstorng turned and hit a snapshot which James Millar failed to hold and the young midfielder was on hand to follow up to tie the game at 1-1!!! It’s game on here!

Shermanez

3.08pm – The Oval (Glentoran 2 – Institute 0)

KL: “So the pendulum swings back in Glentoran’s favour. O’Connor’s goal has lifted the ‘Glenmen’ back on top of the live league table meaning again if things stay like this at full-time then they’ll have the championship but after this start, I can’t see it staying like this throughout the next eighty-four minutes.

MS: “Again news of the goal has been received by the Glens’ supporters and just listen to their delight. It looks as though a party has broken out behind Declan Devine’s goal.

3.12pm – The Oval (Glentoran 2 – Institute 0)

KL: “…Mark Glendinning does well there, taking the ball down and hitting a fine ball to Andy Smith who has broken away from his marker… He’s in on Devine here… SMITH!!! Great save Devine… it’s loose… Smith with the follow-up… another save from Devine! The Institute ‘keeper kept his side in the game there.

MS: “What a save! What a save! Glendinning’s ball appeared in hang in the air and Smith’s strength took him away from Ricky Dunlop. He hit the ball on the half volley and Devine did superbly well to save, the ball came loose and Smith had another go and again Devine got his hand to it, and even managed to hold it!

3.18pm – The Oval (Glentoran 2 – Institute 0)

KL: “Institute are beginning to come back into the game here as Ryan Semple hits a long free-kick forward from the back. It’s aimed for Ryan Coyle at the back post… Glendinning’s missed it… COYLE!!! It’s found the bottom corner and it’s 2-1!!

Shermanez

3.21pm – The Oval (Glentoran 2 – Institute 1)

MS: “…it just appears that the Glentoran back line are taking things a little too easily and they were made to pay there with Coyle’s header making it 2-1. If I know Stan Ginozola he’ll be going berserk down there on the touchline…

KL: “I’ll just break off for this Michael, with McCready breaking down the left for Institute. He’s beaten Chris Walker… cross into the area… everyone’s missed it… IT’S COYLE AGAIN!!! He’s done again, Institute have equalised and ‘The Oval’ falls silent. Are they early dreams turning into a nightmare here?

MS: “Just look at Stan Ginozola, Kenny. I’d only just said he’d be going mad after the first went in but that was even worse. Chris Walker was nowhere and when the cross came in everybody left it alone. Elliott Morris could do nothing but it was a poor effort from the Glens defence. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that if it stays like this then its Portadown’s title! Let’s cross back over to Gary Rogers at Inver Park.

3.19pm – Inver Park (Larne 1 – Portadown 1)

GR: “Though there is no change in the scoreline, both sides have had chances that on another day with a little less at stake, may well have been finished. Vinny Arkins went close for Portadown before Larne scorer O’Connor almost scored a second only to see his back post header come back off the Portadown crossbar. It’s still Larne 1, Portadown 1.

3.33pm – The Oval (Glentoran 2 – Institute 2)

KL: “…as Chris Walker sweeps up well for Glentoran. Glentoran have managed to weather to Institute storm I’d say Michael, and they can now look to get back into the lead.

MS: “I’d have to agree with you, Kenny. Since their equaliser, Institute have offered little in terms of further attacking options. And Glentoran have another chance…

KL: “Tommy McCallion is breaking from deep… he’s found Melaugh on the right-wing… the cross comes in… SMITH! Another fine save from Devine!

MS: “There’s been another goal at Inver Park, Kenny. Gary Rogers…