After the euphoria of last week’s win over FC Renova Glentoran manager, Scott Young knew that FC Vorskla Poltova would be a much tougher test for Glentoran and so it proved.

Young had to juggle his squad due to suspensions and unavailability of players. Indeed he went into this second round 1st leg tie without a recognised centre back. In the end he opted for a pairing of David Howland and Richard Gibson with Jaimie McGovern and Jason Hill filling the two full back slots. Kyle Cherry retained his place in midfield and it was great to see Ciaran Martyn back in the team after injury. Andy Waterworth, Martin Murray, Stephen Carson and Darren Boyce completed the line up.

 

It took almost a quarter of an hour before we’d the first real effort on goal, Oleg Krasnoporov’s long range attempt clearing the crossbar. On 18 minutes Stephen Carson won a free kick on the left side of the penalty area and his dangerous cross from the set piece was cleared for a corner. FC Vorskla had a similar effort a minute later; Ivan Kryvosheienko heading just over. Glentoran almost grabbed the lead midway through the first half. A long throw-in from Jaimie McGovern was met by Ciaran Martyn but with the keeper beaten one of the Vorskla defenders cleared off the goal line. On 28 minutes a drive by Roman Bezus was cleared for a corner by Richard Gibson. Unfortunately the Glentoran defence failed to pick up Volodymyr Chesnakov at the back post and his header across goal was turned in by Roman Bezus. The Glens had a chance to get back into the tie following a Stephen Carson corner (34). His cross was met by Darren Boyce but his goal bound effort was grabbed by the keeper Sergiy Velychko with Andy Waterworth closing in. On 38 minutes a mistake in midfield by Martin Murray allowed Ahmed Januzi to break clear and score past Aaron Hogg. Kyle Cherry did have a shot on target just prior to the interval but Velychko dealt with it easily.

 

FC Vorskla Poltova controlled the early stages of the second half with Dmitri Asipenka going close on a couple of occasions. On the hour mark, last week’s goal hero, Martin Murray almost grabbed another. A Carson free-kick found Mauuray at the back post and his tremendous volley was deflected over the bar for a corner. Martyn had another half chance for the Glens on 62 minutes but it was the visitors who continued to look more dangerous in front of goal. Volodymyr Chesnakov (65) had an effort well saved by Aaron Hogg whilst Ahmed Januzi should have done better (67) with only the keeper to beat. Waterworth and Boyce combined well on 71 minutes and although the effort on goal was initially cleared it came straight back again and Andy Waterworth’s shot was well saved by Sergiy Velychko. Aidan O’Kane and Jim O’Hanlon came off the bench to replace Ciaran Martyn and Stephen Carson (75 mins) and moments later Matty Burrows came on for Darren Boyce for what could well have been his final appearance for Glentoran. FC Vorskla finished strongly with substitute Andriy Oberemko blazing over the bar ten minutes from time and Armend Dallku also failing to hit the target on 85. So FC Vorskla take what should be a decisive 2-nil lead into the second leg next week in the Ukraine. For Scott Young though there were plenty of positives to take from this tie, not least the continued excellent performances from some of the younger players and the return from injury of both David Howland and Ciaran Martyn. After the final whistle the Glentoran players formed a guard of honour for Matty Burrows. A nice touch, appreciated by the player himself and the large crowd who also showed their appreciation for what Matty has done in his time with Glentoran.

 

Glentoran: Hogg, McGovern, Hill (capt.), Gibson, Howland, Cherry, Martyn, Carson, Murray, Boyce & Waterworth.

Subs: O’Kane for Martyn & O’Hanlon for Boyce (75) and Burrows for Boyce (78). Unused: Beggs, McGuigan & Davison.