The Glens got a much needed win this afternoon away to Dungannon Swifts, coming from behind twice to eventually take all 3 points.
A couple of errors in the Glentoran defence early on went unpunished with Paul McElroy being denied on both occasions by Aaron Hogg. With 12 minutes on the clock a ball through the middle sent Curtis Allen clear with just the keeper to beat but Andy Coleman in the Swifts goal kept Allen's effort out. In the resulting period of play Conor McMenamin had a chance and was unlucky to see his angled drive hit the crossbar. Two minutes later Andrew Mitchell had an opportunity for the home side but Johnny Addis got across quickly to turn the ball away for a corner. On 20 minutes a good break out of defence by David Scullion put McMenamin away down the left. The Swifts briefly cleared the danger but from the resulting throw in Scullion's shot hit the side netting. Scullion was then fouled 25 yards from goal. Johnny Smith took the free kick, curling it around the wall and seemingly beyond Coleman but again the crossbar came to the rescue of the home side. Smith and McMenamin then both went close before Dungannon Swifts took the lead in the 33rd minute somewhat against the run of play. Marcus Kane conceded a soft corner. The ball was swung into the penalty area and David Armstrong's header was adjudged to have crossed the line.
The lead lasted for just a minute though. Kane's cross from the corner of the penalty area was headed home at the back post by Calum Birney. 2 minutes later Scullion had a chance to put Glentoran in front but scuffed his shot. Birney was then penalised harshly by referee, Kennedy but Douglas Wilson's free kick went harmlessly over the bar. 2 minutes before the interval Marcus Kane fired another dangerous ball across goal but it was just too high for Curtis Allen.
Terry Fitzpatrick had the first opportunity of the second half but his first time effort flew wide. On 50 minutes Steven Gordon combined well with David Scullion down the right but Gordon's cross towards Allen was turned behind for a corner. From the set piece Gordon was unfortunate to see his back flick clip the post. McMenamin created another chance for Allen whilst at the other end Matthew Hazley's driven cross was well cut out by Addis. On 68 minutes Dungannon Swifts went back in front when Andrew Mitchell outjumped Kane at the back post and headed past Hogg. Once again though the lead lasted less than a minute. A quick throw in by Scullion found Johnny Addis and he burst into the box before firing low across goal and the ball was touched into the far corner of the net by Steven Gordon. On 71 minutes Scullion was denied by Coleman but 3 minutes later Glentoran grabbed the lead for the first time in the game.
A 25 yard drive from Marcus Kane was tipped over the bar by the keeper. From the resulting corner Calum Birney headed home his second goal of the game from close range. The game was wrapped up in the 83rd minutes when McMenamin picked out Allen in the area and the Glentoran number 9 fired the ball past a despairing Coleman in the Swifts goal. Allen and McMenamin had further opportunities to increase the lead but failed to hit the target. Nevertheless it was a welcome win for Glentoran and one they will hope to build on when Ballinamallard United visit the Oval next weekend.
Glentoran: Hogg, Garrett, Kane, Birney, Addis, McAlorum (capt), Gordon, Smith, Scullion, McMenamin and Allen.
Subs: Morris, McCaffrey, Gibson, McCullough and Gray (all unused).