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Match Report

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Alan McDonald's spirited Glentoran team returned to winning ways today, as Gary Hamilton fired in three goals as they marched to a convincing 5-0 victory at Holm Park.

Armagh City were struggling from the start, and with debutant Shane McCabe pulling the strings for the visitors, the Glens never looked in any danger after taking the lead after just 5 minutes.

But it was McCabe's former Dungannon Swifts colleague, David Scullion, who would be pivotal for the opening goal. Dean Fitzgerald played a probing ball into the right channel for Scullion, who would exchange passes with the supporting Colin Nixon. Scullion delivered a dangerous cross and Gary Hamilton opened his account for the afternoon with a fine finish into the roof of the net.

Just 10 minutes later it would be 2-0. Michael Halliday and Jason Hill both had efforts well blocked by the home defence, but Halliday was not to be denied. The forward latched onto a Kyle Neill cross and fired the ball into the top corner, giving Stuart Addis no chance in the home goal.

Glentoran took their foot of the pedal for the remainder of the half, and while they dictated the pace of the game, no more chances would come their way until after the break.

The influential McCabe collected the ball in midfield and held off a challenge, before slipping the ball through to Michael Halliday. Halliday unleashed a left footed effort, which flew narrowly wide of goal.

Just seconds later, McCabe would provide the service to Hamilton, who beat the goalkeeper with his curling effort, only to see it cleared off the goal line.

And the new boy was at it again, winning possession and supplying a pass to Kyle Neill. Neill's excellent cross was met strongly at the back post by the on-rushing Scullion, but his effort was spectacularly turned onto the under-side of the crossbar by Addis.

Addis was in fine form, and would turn away Hamilton's next effort before the hour mark. But Hamilton seemed to get the better of him just moments later, as he latched on to a through ball and rounded the keeper. Hamilton was pushed wide, but managed to shoot on target with his left foot, only for the ball to be cleared at the last second.

Nixon would be next to test the goalkeeper with an acrobatic effort, but Addis was equal to it as the Glens began to think they would have to settle for 2 goals.

But half an hour into the second half, Hamilton would clock up his second goal of the game. McCabe was the provider, having won possession well in midfield and delivered a perfect through ball. Hamilton, of course, applied a lethal finish.

And the same combination would prove too much for Armagh just 4 minutes later. Hamilton this was again the recipient of a well timed McCabe pass, after McCabe had held off 2 challenges to find his team mate. Hamilton calmly finished into the bottom corner to notch up another hat-trick.

McCabe would then be substituted, and take a well-earned break for the remainder of the game, which allowed Alan McDonald to give Willo McDonagh a return to the Glentoran first team.

With just 5 minutes left of the game, the ever-dangerous Scullion was crudely brought down inside the penalty box, and Jason Hill was only too happy to slot the ball into the bottom corner to round off the scoring for the day.

But it was certainly not the end of the chances, as Glentoran still carved out 3 goal scoring opportunities. The first fell to Hamilton, who shot wide of goal, but was crafted by a fantastic run from Jamie McGovern, who sprinted more than half the pitch with the ball before finding Hamilton.

Hamilton saw a shot come off the inside of the post, and rebound to safety, and McGovern saw his headed effort tipped over by Addis in injury time.

But Alan McDonald must be happy with how his team responded to the New Years Day defeat to Ballymena, and at the display from his new signing, Shane McCabe.

Courtesy of
Russell Pritchard/
PRESSEYE