Last Friday evening, on a harsh night weather wise, the Glentoran Legends XI made a very welcome return to the Oval in a very special fundraiser in aid of the Glentoran FC chosen charity for this year, Reverse Rett. The opposition on the night were the members of the Freelance GSC, who to a man paid to play in the game, with all the funds going to the charity. A terrific gesture by all concerned.
Despite the conditions, both sides put on a great display for the sizeable crowd who came down to support the charity.
Although missing some regulars on the night the Glentoran Legends squad still contained household names such as Rab Mc Creery, Mark Glendinning, Chris Walker, Alex Robson, Raymond Morrison, Barney Bowers, Johnny Jameson, Johnny Jamison, Tommy Leeman, Tim Mc Cann, Darren Parker, Marty Hunter and Gary Blackledge.
The much younger Freelance squad loved every minute of playing both on the Oval and against so many of their heroes and put in a great shift themselves on the night, which will live long in the memory for them all.
In the end the final score was 7-2 to the Legends; the goals coming from Legends 'Man of the Match', Tim Mc Cann (2), Gary Blackledge, Johnny Jameson, Mark Glendining, Raymond Morrison and Alex Robson. One of the biggest cheers of the night came when Alex Robson, playing in perhaps his last ever game at the Oval, came up for a corner and finished like a striker with a tremendous half volley at the back post. However, goal of the night must fall to Tim Mc Cann who showed his pace and trickery on the wing to leave his marker standing before coolly chipping the advancing goalkeeper.
The score line though was totally irrelevant as only one winner really came out of this game, Reverse Rett, who benefitted to the tune of around £500 on the night with more to follow from other functions over the weekend.
Next up for the Legends will be their final match of the year on Sunday 29th November, when they travel to Dixon Park on Grand Parade to play a Sirocco Works Old Boys XI. Kick Off is 1pm.
Hopefully we will see you there.
Philip Stevenson
Photographs by Thomas Sewell