Tuesday 3rd November 2020, Kick Off 7.45pm
Glentoran travel to Solitude to face County Antrim Shield holders Cliftonville tonight, hoping to avenge last season's Semi Final defeat at the same venue.
Last Season's Final triumph over Ballymena - both goals arriving in the 90th minute after United had led for much of the game - was the first time Cliftonville had won the trophy since beating then Championship side Bangor 1-0 at Solitude in 2014/15.
For Glentoran our last appearance in the Final came in 2011/12 against Cliftonville. On a wet, miserable November night at the Oval goals from Martin Donnelly and Joe Gormley put Cliftonville comfortably in control before a late goal by Glens defender Johnny Taylor set up a tense finish. Although striker Darren Boyce missed a last ditch headed chance to draw level, in truth the Reds dominated the entire game and should have won more comfortably than the scoreline suggested, as they secured a first trophy as manager for Tommy Breslin.
Late goals have long been a feature of Cliftonville v Glens matches at Solitude. So often in the early 00's it was Glentoran who enjoyed the benefits - Michael Halliday in particular provided several winning contributions after been sent on from the substitutes bench. Unfortunately in recent years it has been the Reds who have consistently enjoyed that late glee - winning last year's semi Final via Joe Gormley's 84th goal and our league meeting just 2 weeks ago when Ryan Curran converted in the 86th.
Indeed, in all competitions, Cliftonville have scored winning goals in the final 10 minutes of 5 of the last 6 occasions on which the teams have met at the north Belfast venue.
Cliftonville have had a mixed start to the league campaign - beating Glentoran and Carrick Rangers at home but recording a disappointing defeat away to derby rivals Crusaders in between. Defenders Garry Breen and Levi Ives missed out against Carrick through injury, but ex-Glens forward Conor McMenamin did overcome a knock to start (and score) against Rangers.
Mick McDermott: “At Coleraine on Saturday I was very disappointed in the way we conceded the two goals - an early set-piece and a goal right before halftime. On both occasions we should have been more alert. Overall it was a game where very little Football was played, but one where Coleraine did what they had to do better than we did on the day. We created a few chances to score and know we need to convert these.
It was terrible to lose Bobby Burns long term to a horrific tackle. It now seems to be a pattern when we play - teams setting up to kick our players. It was the same last week at home v Glenavon. We need to understand this is the case and be ready for it. I am confident the referees will handle these situations appropriately - nobody wants to see broken legs and injured players in our League.
I’m looking forward to tonight’s match and I fully expect another tough test against a talented Reds team. They are well organised and dangerous and every time we play them it is a tight game. Any semi-final is important, and we will be looking to get a positive result to book our place in the first final of the season.”
