Scorers
Coventry City Hawkins (47), McKenzie (54)

Glentoran:
Nixon (87 pen)

Glentoran FC paid tribute to one of it's all time greatest players as they faced off against Iain Dowie's English Championship side Coventry City in Colin Nixon's testimonial game.  Prior to the beginning of the game both sides lined out in a guard of honour for Nixon as he celebrated ten seasons at the club.  Colin entered the pitch with his son and mascot for the game Max Nixon to a standing applause.  Colin Nixon has notched up 537 appearances as is on track to achieve Glentoran's all-time appearance record this season.

The players lined out with Colin Nixon as captain and got off to a fine start, forcing an early free kick.  Philip Carson stepped up with confidence to strike the ball just wide from 35 yards.  The Glens took charge of the game in the first ten minutes with some neat passing, often leaving Coventry looking on.  Coventry began to apply some pressure as Colin Nixon showed exactly why he is a Glentoran great with a fine double block.

The Glens again began to dominate play as David Scullion had the first clear chance of the game.  A Jason Hill corner would be headed just over by the Glentoran new boy as the Coventry goalkeeper could only watch.  Scullion would again be involved in the play as he broke free and touched the ball through to Michael Halliday, however the Coventry defence would deflect the shot clear. 

Around the 20 minute mark, Coventry took control of the attack as Sean Ward tackled strongly forcing a corner.  Further pressure from the Sky Blues would see Michael Dougherty make a great point blank save, and a back-post header from the resulting corner kick would also come close to the Glentoran goal.

New signing Jamie McGovern impressed on the Glentoran right wing throughout the game, and his low cross after 27 minutes would have Michael Halliday stretching just inches away from turning the ball into the Coventry goal.  Rory Hamill would also come close as he controlled the ball well from a corner and was able to turn and shoot forcing a great save.

Coventry were able to mount one final attack of the first half, with a Sean Ward tackle going out for a corner but the resulting header went straight into Michael Dougherty's arms.

Finishing the first half strongly, the Glentoran support were left silent as Coventry City took the lead shortly after the break.  Coventry's Colin Hawkins was on the receiving end of a right wing cross, controlling the ball in the Glentoran box and firing in to make it 1-0.  On 54 minutes the Glens again conceded as a defensive mix up left Leon McKenzie with enough time to strike through the crowd making it 2-0 to the Sky Blues.

Despite being two goals down, The Glens were still dominating play and creating many more attacking chances than in the first half.    Lukasz Adamczyk came close to meeting a Jason Hill corner but was unable to make full contact with the ball.  Chris Morgan also cam close following some impressive link-up play from Adamczyk and McGovern but fired straight at the goalkeeper from the edge of the 6-yard box.    Morgan again had a similar chance coming from a Michael ward cross, but again was only able to turn the ball towards the goalkeeper.

Rory Hamill and Tim McCann Linked up on 78 minutes, only to see Hamill fire just wide, while Chris Morgan had another opportunity blocked by a last gasp tackle.  Michael Ward would see a similar chance pass by again as a result of a last second tackle.

The Glens were able to pull back a well-deserved goal, following a hand-ball inside the penalty area.  As the whistle was blown for the penalty, the Glentoran faithful called for the man of the night Colin Nixon to step up and stroke the ball home.  Nixon stepped up and sent the keep the wrong way, scoring in his testimonial game and getting one back for the Glens.

it was almost drawn level on the 91st minute as some nice play from Gary Hamilton and Chris Morgan saw Morgan with a clear shot at goal only to be saved, and the rebound shot from Lukasz Adamczyk somehow making it's way over the Coventry crossbar.

This would prove to be the final chance of the game as the Glens fought hard to pull back the two goal deficit.  Despite the final score line, Glentoran came away with their heads held high, providing a performance more than worthy of the occasion.