This weekend sees Glentoran face Dungannon Swifts at the Oval in the quarter-final of the Irish Cup. The Glens have reached this stage following wins over Ards (2-1) and Armagh City (4-1) whilst the Swifts, following a 4-1 home win over Ballinamallard Utd, needed a penalty shoot-out to overcome Ballyclare Comrades at Dixon Park in the last round.
The two sides have met twice in the Premiership so far this season with Glentoran recording narrow victories on each occasion. In the first meeting on 27th September at the Oval it took a late, but spectacular, winner from Stephen McAlorum to grab the 3 points (watch that fantastic strike again on BBC Sport NI HERE). Two weeks before Christmas at Stangmore Park the Swifts went in front through McCullough before Curtis Allen and Jordan Stewart put the Glens in front at the break. Mitchell made it 2-2 early in the second half but when Steven Gordon's late penalty came back off the crossbar, Niall Henderson was first to react and head the ball home (watch that game again on BBC Sport NI HERE).
Both Steven Gordon and Jordan Stewart are serving one-game suspensions and so miss tomorrow's game. There's still plenty of goals in the Glentoran side though with Curtis Allen, David Scullion and Fra McCaffrey having netted 33 between them so far this season.
David Howland and Jay Magee remain out with injuries however there was some good news for Eddie Patterson this week with both Willie Garrett and Jim O'Hanlon playing for the Seconds in mid-week. Garrett completed 45 minutes and O'Hanlon was on target twice as the Seconds defeated Coleraine Reserves 4-2 in the Reserve League at the Oval.
Supporters are reminded of the ongoing road works in Mersey Street and you should allow extra time for your journey.
We would also ask for our fans to once again bring their flags to the game and turn the Oval red, green and black.