Having witnessed 13 Glentoran goals in the last two fixtures at the Oval, the home fans arrived at the ground this afternoon hoping for more of the same. They left bemused and bitterly disappointed.

The Glens began brightly with Jim O’Hanlon creating a chance for Richard Gibson after just 3 minutes. Although the striker’s effort was on target it lacked the power to trouble ex-Glentoran keeper, Wayne Drummond. On 7 minutes Gary Hamilton put O’Hanlon clear. The youngster was closing in on goal when he appeared to be brought down from behind. It looked a clear penalty but referee Courtney and his assistant ignored the claims of the players and fans. The home side continued to press but although Carson, O’Hanlon and McGovern put plenty of crosses into the danger area none were converted into goals. Just after the quarter-hour mark Jim O’Hanlon created a great chance for himself, showing some great skill on the right. His shot though was straight at Drummond and easily dealt with. Ballymena’s James Costello had a great chance to open the scoring on 18 minutes but Elliott Morris pulled off a great save to deny him. Gary McCutcheon set up Allan Jenkins (24) but Colin Nixon blocked his effort on goal. Moments later the skipper had to be alert again; this time to deny McCutcheon. On the half hour mark a blistering 30-yard shot from Sean Ward was tipped onto the crossbar by Drummond. The keeper though could do nothing to stop the Glens going in front on 34 minutes. A right-wing corner from Stephen Carson was headed goalwards by Jimmy Callacher and David Howland finished the move off, nodding home from inside the 6-yard box. 3 minutes later the visitors were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Glentoran penalty area but Tony Kane’s set piece was well off target. On 40 minutes Carson’s pull back found Jason Hill. Hill’s cross from the left found the head of Gibson but the ball sailed over. Just before the interval Elliott Morris was called into action again. Costello broke clear and beat McGovern on the edge of the area. It looked like the forward would level but Morris produced another great stop to send the Glens in at halftime with a narrow advantage.

Whilst Glentoran were the better team for the first 45 minutes, they were certainly second best after the break. Ballymena United almost drew level on 49 minutes. A cross from the left was turned towards his own goal by Howland but Morris again did brilliantly to keep it out. A minute later Gibson did well in the other penalty area, holding up the ball and then setting up Hamilton. Unfortunately Gary’s shot was just too high. Hamilton (52) had another chance blocked and then Carson’s cross-shot (57) almost deceived Drummond; the keeper scrambling the ball away for a corner. On 60 minutes Ballymena United levelled. Glentoran failed to clear the ball on a number of occasions and it eventually fell to McCutcheon who made no mistake from 6 yards. Jaimie McGovern broke away down the right (64) having nutmegged Aaron Stewart. Unfortunately his final ball was poor, drifting out over the bar. Ballymena went in front on 69 minutes. Gary McCutcheon, who seemed to be able to find space at will during the second half, nodded home from close range. Gary Hamilton was replaced by Andy Waterworth (71) and the substitute made it 2-all on 77 minutes, racing onto a long ball and outpacing the defence before slotting it past Drummond. It was to be Ballymena United’s day though. Allan Jenkins put them ahead again with an easy header (82) and a minute later McCutcheon out-muscled Sean Ward before drilling home number 4. It was a disappointing end to a game which had again started positively for Glentoran but the failure of the entire team to defend properly cost them dearly.

Glentoran: Morris, McGovern, Hill, Ward, Nixon (capt), Callacher, Howland, O’Hanlon, Carson, Gibson & Hamilton.
Sub: Waterworth for Hamilton (71)

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