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Match Report

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Glentoran produced a stirring and passionate performance to steam-roll Linfield in the traditional Boxing Day derby match, and scratched an 18 year itch in the process.

While the final score read a modest 1-0, the game itself was not nearly as closely fought. While the Blues did create a few good opportunities, the majority of spectators in the stadium, and those watching at home on Sky Sports, would willingly testify that this was a game that the Glens deserved to win by more than a solitary goal.

After Saturday's disappointment at Solitude, the pressure was high on this Glentoran team, and when the Sky TV lights were on bright, the team shone like Christmas stars to claim the Glens' first victory over their Big Two rivals since the now-famous 'Morgan Day'.

Perhaps none shone more brightly than Northern Ireland International, Gary Hamilton, who gave the Linfield defence a torrid evening, with his guile and intelligence evident for all to see. But while Hamilton lead from the front, there were stars throughout the side.

Paul Leeman and Sean Ward were a pillar of granite at the back, valiantly assisted by Colin Nixon and Jason Hill. But when that was not enough, Elliott Morris was there to pick up the pieces, despite going through a battle himself, taking numerous heavy blows.

Linfield's famous strong midfield played second fiddle for much of the game, as young Philip Carson and Daryl Fordyce battled for every ball, and were creative and efficient with their possession. Playing either side were Kyle Neill and David Scullion, who were always dangerous in possession, and dogged when the ball was lost.

Then there was Michael Halliday.

Over the years, there are many players who have garnered a reputation as being a 'Big Game Player' - someone who would frequently prove the difference between teams when the really big occasions came around. If ever there was a Glentoran player who typified this, it may well be Michael Halliday.

Once again it was Halliday who broke Linfield hearts, and broke the Boxing Day duck for the Glens, as he rose to head home a sweet winner on 66 minutes.

The match got off to a flying start, as both sets of players looked to impress on National television.

After just 2 minutes, Glenn Ferguson, who was unable to notch up his 500th career goal, had a 30 yard free-kick tipped away from goal by the out-stretched Morris.

Play immediately went to the other end, and Hamilton's dangerous cross was just a little beyond the reach of Scullion, as the winger made a late run into the penalty area.

The Blues went close again before the 10 minutes mark, but Sean Ward was alert to the danger and cleared the ball from his own goal-line as Jamie Mulgrew looked poised to open the scoring.

Again the Glens hit back, as Neill broke down the left. He played in Hamilton, who cut the ball back onto his right foot and unleashed a goal-bound effort, only to see Alan Mannus turn the ball away.

The staggering pace with which the match had started showed no signs of letting up, and there was a loud shout for a penalty kick on 15 minutes. Halliday had done well to beat one defender and lay the ball off to Fordyce. But as Fordyce attempted to avoid a challenge, there seemed to be contact with the player, and not the ball. Fordyce went down, but the official waved for play to continue.

The best chance of the half came to Kyle Neill on 19 minutes. Hamilton was again the provider, but when the cross came to Neill at the back post, he lashed his effort off target when he would have expected to do better.

Glentoran began to increase the pressure, and only some last ditch defending from Linfield kept the scores level. And on the half-hour mark, the Blues were again caught stretched, as Hamilton and Carson carved through the defence down the left hand side. In the end, Hamilton had a tame effort that was easily saved by Manus.

Kyle Neill was again looking dangerous a few minutes later, as his blistering free-kick was headed over by Noel Bailie when it looked goal-bound.

Neill and Halliday would again go close before half-time, as Linfield continued to ride their luck at the back.

Alan McDonald would have been disappointed that his team entered the changing rooms at half time with nothing to show for their efforts. But one thing that was for sure, was that his team was on the ascendancy, and there would be few teams who could sustain another 45 minutes of that pressure without crumbling.

And the second half started in similar vein to the first half.

Hamilton had found space on the right wing, and centered a ball to Kyle Neill. Neill took a touch, and riffled a shot goalward, but was unlucky to see if shave the crossbar.

The next opportunity of the match fell to David Scullion, as the winger broke free down the right hand side. As he entered the box, Manus was quick off his line, and pressured Scullion into shooting off-target.

On 65 minutes, the visitors had a rare half-chance, as Peter Thompson connected with a cross, but Morris was equal to the effort, tipping it over to concede a corner.

Just seconds later, Colin Nixon thought he had opened the scoring. He got on the end of a right wing cross, but his effort cannoned off the inside of the upright, and into the relieved hands of Manus.

But the Glenmen did not have to wait too much longer for the moment they had all been hoping for.

Kyle Neill, influential throughout the game, was the provider of the cross, and Halliday made no mistake in grabbing himself another piece of Glentoran history, with the goal that would seal a famous victory.

Neill in fact thought he had sealed the win just moments later. He raced through on goal, and slide a 25 yard effort under the advancing Manus, but the ball was scrambled from the goal-line by a desperate Linfield defence.

Carson would be the next to go close, as the Glens sought to seal the win, but again, the ball just would not cross the goal-line.

With just 7 minutes left, Neill again found himself with an excellent chance to seal the win, as he went one-on-one with Manus, but this time the 'keeper was equal to it and produced the save.

As the game edged closer to the finish, there would be two more talking points. Firstly, Morris again showed himself to be the best goalkeeper in the league with a fine stop and brave goalkeeping under pressure.

But at the other end, Gary Hamilton found himself running one-on-one with Manus. Hamilton had timed a run from his own half, to get onto the end of a well timed pass. However, despite the fact that he was in his own half, and offside decision was given against the forward. The result of the free-kick was inconsequential, as the Blues again failed to create a clear opportunity, and the whistle would shortly blow to seal a famous victory for the famous East Belfast giants.

Courtesy of
Russell Pritchard/
PRESSEYE