Wednesday 22nd December 2021
7.45pm Kick Off
Tomorrow night Glentoran, on a twelve-game unbeaten run and third place in the Danske Bank Premiership, travel to the Showgrounds to face a Coleraine team that after a fantastic run themselves, have recently fallen to sixth place after two defeats (home to Linfield and away to Glenavon) and a draw at home to Crusaders so far in December.
After finally breaking our Seaview hoodoo last month, Glentoran will be looking to break another unwelcome habit; not winning at Ballycastle Road. Not since October 2013 have a Glens side left with all three league points. That day second half goals from winger Jim O'Hanlon, Mark Miskimmin and John McGuigan secured a 3-1 win.
Second choice goalkeeper Martin Gallagher has returned to fitness as cover for Gareth Deane and striker James McLaughlin came off the bench in Saturday’s draw with Crusaders. Our former top marksman Curtis Allen has been an absentee through injury, however, along with veteran defender Gareth McConaghie.
In their seven home League games this season before losing to Linfield on December 4th, Coleraine conceded just one goal; Larne’s Ben Doherty becoming the first opponent player (against his old club) to net a league goal at the Ballycastle Road Showgrounds. That loss to the Blues was a first defeat on home soil this season, recording five wins and three goalless draws in the other eight.
Mick McDermott: “Obviously, I was very pleased with both our performance and win over Glenavon as they’re a team that consistently causes problems for the opposition, including us on many occasions. In that context our game management was excellent and the quality of our two goals – both in build-up play and finishing was of a very high standard, using our pace to a great effect. Also it was another clean sheet in a good run of clean sheets so again compliments to the team who were very focused on achieving a clean sheet.
Our last three league games with Coleraine have all been draws and good games. It’s probably fair to say we could both argue there were ones either of us could have won. That’s debatable, but either way they’ve been good games and there has been very little between the teams. They’re on a good run of form, as are we, and since we were up there in the Bet McLean League Cup, we’ve got a feel for their new facilities now. So I’m looking forward to it. Coleraine is a nice place to go, there will be a good atmosphere from two well supported clubs, and these are the sort of games you need to win if you’re going to keep climbing the table. The three draws in three weeks at the end of last season damaged both clubs’ league aspirations so we’ll be going there for the win tomorrow night.”
