Seaview has been redeveloped since our last visit and the new facilities are a credit to the club. Almost 2,500 were in the ground when last season’s second and third placed sides took the field just before 3pm. It probably wasn’t the fixture Glentoran would have picked to get their 2011-12 Carling Premiership campaign underway but we ended up coming away with a hard fought 2-1 victory against Crusaders.

The Crues had the first effort of the game inside the first minute but Aidan Watson’s effort was well over. On 9 minutes Stephen Carson swept a free-kick into the box but McKeown managed to head it clear for a corner. Two minutes later Carson combined well with Jason Hill on the left and put another dangerous ball into the area but Darren Boyce’s headed effort was off target. Jim O’Hanlon produced a fine run (18) but his effort on goal was deflected just wide by former Glens’ skipper, Paul Leeman. Following the resulting corner Andy Waterworth flashed a shot across goal from a tight angle. The Carson Boyce combination was evident again on 22 minutes but again the header failed to trouble the keeper. Crusaders, adopting their usual physical approach, were second best for most of the opening period but Glentoran, despite all their possession couldn’t make the breakthrough.

Four minutes after the interval Glentoran went in front. Stephen Carson’s short corner was returned to him by David Howland and Carson’s delightful cross was met at the far post by Colin Nixon who headed home from 6 yards. It was the skipper’s second goal of the season and his 77th for the Glens. The Crues had a half chance on 53 minutes but Nixon was on hand to clear the danger. Moments later a Boyce effort at the other end flashed just wide. Stuart Dallas had a couple of efforts on goal, the first (54) was well over the crossbar but the other (58) was just wide of the upright. Crusaders were beginning to dominate with the Glens sitting too deep, trying to soak up the pressure. Timmy Adamson’s effort on the hour hit the side netting whilst a dipping 30-yard effort from David McMaster hit the underside of the bar and bounced clear. With 11 minutes remaining, Crusaders substitute David Rainey’s effort on goal was headed over by Sean Ward. From the corner the home side drew level, Colin Coates heading home from close range. Elliott Morris had to be at his brilliant best as the Crues pressed for a winner; David Rainey’s header somehow kept out by the Glens’ number 1. In the final minute of the game Glentoran snatched all three points. The goal came from a Carson corner on the left. Substitute Richard Gibson met the cross but his goal bound header was cleared off the line by Coates. Johnny Taylor headed the ball goalwards and Darren Boyce nipped in to nod it over the line. A dramatic finish and a thrilling victory for the large travelling Glentoran support.


Glentoran: Morris, Taylor, Hill, Nixon (capt), Ward, Howland, Clarke, O’Hanlon, Carson, Boyce & Waterworth.

Subs: Murray for O’Hanlon (70) & Gibson for Waterworth (80).

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