Glentoran
made it 10 consecutive wins after blitzing Ballymena
4-0 at The Showgrounds today, a win that moved the
Glens to the top of the Carnegie Premier League
after just 2 matches.
Goals
from Rory Hamill, Michael Halliday, and a brace from
Gary Hamilton secured a comfortable win, and boosted
confidence ahead of Tuesday night's County Antrim
Shield semi-final against Cliftonville.
From
the outset, United struggled to cope with the pace
and variety of the Glens' approach play and
attacking options, becoming stretched early on.
As
early as 3 minutes, it took some last ditch
Ballymena defending to keep the scores level. An
intelligent back-heel from Hamilton sent Halliday
racing into the box. After exchanging possession
with the returning Dean Fitzgerald, Halliday was
unlucky to see his effort turned behind for a corner
kick.
Glentoran
had raced out of the traps, and it looked like just
a matter of time before the scoring would open.
And
that time came on 9 minutes. David Scullion was
cynically brought down on the left wing to win a
free-kick. Gary Hamilton stepped up and curled his
kick goalward.
Rory
Hamill got the faintest of touches, and his mere
presence in the box distracted the goalkeeper enough
for the headed effort to find the back of the net.
The
game continued in similar vein, with Hamilton,
Halliday, Scullion, Fitzgerald, Hamill and Daryl
Fordyce causing all sorts of problems for the
struggling home defence.
Ballymena
attempted to battle back into the game, with some
heavy tackles flying in, particularly on Fitzgerald
and Scullion.
But
both players were able to dust of the challenges and
continue with the Glens' game plan unfazed.
Ballymena's
Paul Murphy produced the save of the match on 34
minutes, getting down low to produce a left handed
save to prevent Kyle Neill's 30 yard rocket from
doubling the scoring.
And
a few minutes later, United were fortunate when
Scullion's effort was cleared off the line.
The
game turned scrappy towards half time in slippery
conditions, and the score stayed 1-0 until just
after the break.
After
the restart, it took just 1 minute for Hamilton to
double the lead, when he got on the end of a Kyle
Neill corner to score a simple header.
Hamilton
then had a penalty claim waived away, after he
appeared to be brought down when clear through on
Murphy's goal.
But
the Glens were not to be deterred. Ryan Berry
entered the fray in place of Fitzgerald on 60
minutes, and sluggish Ballymena must have been
devastated to see a fresh set of legs enter play.
Within
a couple of minutes, Scullion played Halliday into
the box. Halliday cut back onto his right foot, but
a well time tackle meant he again was denied his
goal.
On
the 70th minute Gary Hamilton struck again.
Kyle
Neill picked the ball up deep, and after a great
exchange with Scullion, Neill delivered a fantastic
cross which found Hamilton's head. The hitman made
no mistake with his bullet header.
And
just 3 minutes later, Michael Halliday got his goal
of the day. He went past the goal keeper, but was
forced wide and had to lob home his effort from a
tight angle with a defender close by.
It
was an excellent finish to cap an energetic and hard
working performance.
The
remaining minutes were played like an exhibition
match, with every Glentoran player getting involved
in stroking the ball around, enjoying the rest of
their afternoon.
Ballymena
did manage a shot on target, the only time Dougherty
had to made a save, on 77 minutes when Randall Reid
shot straight at the keeper.
Otherwise,
Nixon, Leeman, Ward and Neill had an almost flawless
game at the back, and secured their second clean
sheet in as many league games. Something that Alan
McDonald must be happy with.
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