Prior to kick-off at today’s Carling Premiership fixture with Carrick Rangers at the Oval, a minute’s silence was observed in memory of Mrs Elizabeth (Lily) Ralph, mother of our vice-Chairman, who passed away yesterday morning.

When the game got underway it was the visitors who started brightly with a couple of set pieces in the opening minutes. In the 3rd minute though it was the Glens who went in front and by the time we’d played half an hour Glentoran had blown Carrick away with an astonishing SIX goals without reply. Stephen Carson got the first. Starting the move himself on the halfway line, Carson fed Richard Gibson and the big striker’s pass to Gary Hamilton was superbly threaded through to Carson who calmly rounded the keeper and side-footing home. Gibson, making his first league start of the season, was fouled on the right wing on 6 minutes. Hamilton took the free kick and Gibson turned the ball in from 6 yards; his first goal for Glentoran. On 10 minutes Jason Hill ran on to a ball from Sean Ward.  From midway inside the Carrick half he headed for goal, easily skipping past Anthony Lagan before slotting the ball under Chris Keenan.

Carrick were shell-shocked but did finally fashion a chance on 14 minutes but Elliott Morris and Sean Ward combined to clear the danger. On the quarter hour mark a right wing cross from the impressive Jim O’Hanlon was met by Gibson but his header sailed over the crossbar. Moments later O’Hanlon displayed a great piece of skill on the edge of the box before firing just wide. McAlinden was booked for a foul 20 yards from goal on 19 minutes. Gibson and Hamilton stood over the free-kick with the latter seeming favourite to strike it. It was Gibson though who curled a delightful shot over the wall and into the back of the visitor’s net to make it 4-nil. Hamilton, who had an outstanding first half, got the fifth on 25 minutes. He found Gibson on the edge of the box and he, in turn, fed the ball back to Jimmy Callacher. Callacher’s delightful chip was met perfectly by Hamilton who volleyed home from 8 yards. On the half hour mark it was six. Stephen Carson crossed from the left and Callacher nodded home from close range. Another great pass from Hamilton set up Jim O’Hanlon (33) but he fired just over. 10 minutes from the break Paul Owens had a great effort from 20 yards but Elliott Morris made an excellent save to deny him.  As half-time approached McAlinden handled the ball on the edge of the area and referee Smith awarded Glentoran a free-kick. Having already seen yellow earlier in the half, most expected the centre-back to go for an early bath. The referee however was lenient on this occasion.

On 49 minutes Paul Owens went close with a 20 yard free-kick; his effort going narrowly wide. A great long ball from Sean Ward set up O’Hanlon moments later but a last ditch tackle from Liam Hogan denied him. Just before the hour mark Jason Hill did really well on the left and worked his way into the area before crossing to the back post. He was hit late inside the area and required treatment however no action was taken as all the officials missed the incident. On 61 minutes Jaimie McGovern was harshly booked for an innocuous challenge on Lagan. 4 minutes later the full back was off. His late tackle on Owens brought a second yellow card and McGovern’s second dismissal of the season. On 73 minutes O’Hanlon fed Gibson but the striker scuffed his effort from the edge of the area and with it, the chance to go home with the match ball. Carrick substitute, Aaron Harmon pulled a goal back 10 minutes from time with a great strike from the edge of the area. Two Glentoran substitutes, Howland and Boyce, combined on 84 minutes but the Carrick keeper, Maros Valko (who’d replaced Keenan at the interval) was quickly off his line to deny Boyce. Owain Beggs did well to win a corner on 86 minutes. From the set piece Carson and Hamilton combined again with Hamilton’s shot hitting the crossbar. Beggs also went close in the final minute but again Valko did well to save.

Glentoran: Morris, McGovern, Hill, Nixon (capt), Ward, Callacher, Martyn, O’Hanlon, Carson, Gibson & Hamilton.

Subs: Howland for Martyn (22), Beggs for Nixon (63) and Boyce for Gibson (76).

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