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Glentoran
returned to winning ways today, but were forced to
leave it late before securing a vital three points
against Crusaders at The Oval.
An
early strike from Daryl Fordyce had the home side
ahead, but Crusaders looked dangerous and threatened
to draw level on more than one occasion. But goals
from Michael Halliday and Gary Hamilton were enough
to put a shine on a score-line that did not reflect
the flow of the game.
The
opener came on 11 minutes when Philip Carson forced
an error in the visiting defence. He did well to win
the ball and find Hamilton, who beat one man and
fired a left-footed effort goalward.
Aaron
Kerr produced the save, but was unable to get to
Fordyce’s follow-up, as the midfielder guided his
effort past two defenders on the line.
The
two teams would exchange half-chances before either
would see a clear chance at goal. Crues defender
Colin Coates saw his header just off-target, while
Fordyce pounced on a goalkeeping error, but was also
unable to hit the target
Glenmen
had their hearts in their mouths on the half-hour
mark, when David Rainey threatened to repeat his
goal-scoring feat from the CIS Cup Semi-Final.
Rainey was first to react when the ball broke free
in the Glens penalty area, but his effort was
deflected onto Elliott Morris’ upright, and behind
to safety.
As
the second half got underway, Paul Leeman had the
first opportunity to increase the lead. He connected
with a teasing Chris Morgan cross, but the
Captain’s header was off-target.
And
it was Leeman who again went close a short time
after. He had done well to hold off a challenge from
Darren Lockhart, and to exchange possession with
Rory Hamill. Leeman found a little space, and got a
shot away. But his goal-bound effort was well
blocked and put behind for a corner.
As
the game was progressing, Crusaders looked
increasingly dangerous, and perhaps should have
equalised when substitute Martin Reilly found
himself one-on-one with Morris. However,
the shot-stopper made himself big, and was able to
pull off a fine save.
If
that was a let-off, then the Glens were to really
off the hook on 70 minutes. Elliott Morris had come
off his line to narrow an angle on another Crusaders
attack, but the ball was well lobbed over him and
seemed certain for the back of the net. Nixon,
somehow, managed to pull of a superb over-head-kick
to hook the ball clear, with what must be one of the
finest tackles of his illustrious career.
Glentoran
looked vulnerable and nervous, and Alan McDonald was
swift to make a change. Michael Halliday, Michael
Ward and Ryan Berry entered the fray in quick
succession, and the change was to prove vital to the
outcome of the game.
Michael
Ward will have been disappointed not to get on the
score sheet with his first touch, but he was unable
to direct a left footed effort on target while in an
excellent position.
But
a game that was hanging in the balance was to swing
hugely in the favour of the Glens on 80 minutes,
thanks to one of the most sublime finishes that a
football fan could ever wish to see.
Hamilton
drilled a cross into the box from the right wing,
towards the on-rushing Halliday. Halliday attempted
an audacious back-heal, which found the top corner
of the net, and perhaps took the fight out of the
Crues.
Nixon
and Ward would again go close, before Hamilton
connected with a left-wing corner to put a gloss on
the scoreline, but McDonald and his team will know
that they will need to do more in the next two vital
league games
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