Glentoran conceded a two goal lead to Crusaders at the Oval this afternoon but still managed to narrow the gap between themselves and league leaders Linfield by a point.

Former skipper, Paul Leeman received a warm welcome back to the Oval and was involved in one of the game’s early chances. With just 3 minutes on the clock Leeman conceded a free kick midway in his own half. October’s ‘Player of the Month’ Gary Hamilton took the set piece and found the head of Jimmy Callacher but the centre-half’s effort was easily dealt with by Sean O’Neill in the Crusaders goal. The visitors quickly got into the game though and both Sean Ward (5) and Colin Nixon (7) had to be alert to clear a couple of dangerous attempts for corners. On 8 minutes Crusaders looked to have taken the lead when a quickly taken free-kick was played into the area and headed home by Jordan Owens. A raised flag, indicating offside, cut short the celebrations. 5 minutes later the home fans were on their feet when a ball from Sean Ward found Richard Gibson who neatly played in Ciaran Martyn. The midfielder, looking for his 7th goal of the season, slipped the ball past the advancing O’Neill but it came back off the inside of the post and was eventually cleared. With 19 minutes played Glentoran went in front. Hamilton’s free-kick into the penalty area was met by Colin Nixon and his header found the bottom corner of the net. It was Nicky’s 7th of the campaign and 82nd in total for the club. The Crues fought back and Garth McKeown’s free kick just eluded Owens (24) whilst Declan Caddell brought a great save out of Elliott Morris with a close range header. On 28 minutes the Glens doubled their advantage. Another great left wing cross from Stephen Carson was met by Richard Gibson. The ball broke to Jim O’Hanlon and he poked it home from 6 yards. Again the visitors came back at Glentoran with David Rainey unlucky to see his shot fly just wide of the post on the half hour. 4 minutes from the break though, Rainey got his goal; running onto a through ball and lifting the ball over Morris to make it 2-1. Rainey almost levelled on the halftime whistle; his shot hitting the crossbar. The rebound was returned into the danger area from the left and referee Hunter decided that Carson had nudged Owens in the area and pointed to the spot. It looked a harsh call, particularly as no one had appealed for the penalty and also when compared with some of the other challenges in both boxes throughout the game. Chris Morrow levelled things up from the spot.

Andy Waterworth replaced the injured Gary Hamilton for the second half but it was Crusaders who looked the more dangerous side. A long throw in was headed goal-wards by Caddell (51) but easily held by Morris. Jimmy Callacher was again in the right place to mop up (53) whilst a long range effort from Morrow (53) was off target. Morrow had another speculative effort on goal on 66 minutes but again Elliott Morris was equal to it. With 20 minutes remaining Colin Nixon had a chance to put the Glens back in front when O’Neill failed to deal with a Sean Ward set piece. Unfortunately the skipper wasn’t able to keep his shot down. A Carson cross from the left (72) looked to be giving substitute, Darren Boyce an opportunity but O’Neill was quickly out to intercept. On 74 minutes a Glentoran free kick was floated into the area and the home players and crowd appealed for a penalty as Jimmy Callacher was challenged. Nothing doing from Mr Hunter though! Minutes later Ciaran Martyn just failed to find Boyce on the edge of the area and set up what might have been a decent opportunity. Crusaders broke straight down field though and again Callacher did well to snuff out the danger. Both sides spurned further chances as we moved into the last 10 minutes of the contest. The Crusaders defensive wall held firm when Callacher drove a 20-yard free kick goal-ward (80) and ex-Glentoran forward, Michael Halliday was denied by a great challenge from Jason Hill (82). On 86 minutes Stuart Dallas almost won it for the visitors only to be denied by a superb Morris stop. With the clock ticking down Jimmy Callacher picked up the ball in his own half and went on a terrific run down the right. He reached the edge of the Crusaders penalty area and fed Ciaran Martyn but his shot was blocked and then cleared. Deep in stoppage time Michael Halliday was put clear on goal. He drove the ball low towards the far corner but Elliott Morris produced another great stop to deny him.

Glentoran: Morris, Ward, Hill, Nixon (capt), Callacher, Howland, Martyn, O’Hanlon, Carson, Gibson & Hamilton.
Subs: Waterworth for Hamilton (46) & Boyce for O’Hanlon (69).

T Men Match Stats

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