Friday 10th September 2021
Kick Off 7.45pm
Tomorrow night we finally welcome the wider Glentoran support back to the Bet McLean Oval for a competitive fixture for the first time in eighteen months.
Ballymena have undergone a major overhaul of their squad this summer, with 9 new signings made and 11 departures.
Most notable of the departures was, of course, our signing of talismanic front man Shay McCartan, with goalkeeper Ross Glendinning also swapping Warden Street for the Oval.
Experienced defenders Johnny Addis, Jim Ervin, Kofi Balmer and Tony Kane have all moved on, with Carrick Rangers trio Caolan Loughran, Chris Rodgers and Lee Chapman coming in to replace them along with the former Dungannon Captain Dougie Wilson.
Further up the pitch, ex Northern Ireland U21 striker David Parkhouse has joined from Derry City to lead the forward line and boss David Jeffrey will be hoping 2 more left field signings will help to supply him - winger Daniel Bramall coming in from English club Barrow and ex Glentoran Seconds midfielder Jack Henderson retuning to the Irish League after a 2-year spell in America.
New signing Wilson will have to sit this game out, having been sent off in their opening day defeat at Warrenpoint. That is the only fixture that United have played to date, owing to International call ups, losing 2-1 at Milltown. One major boost for Jeffrey is the return of Captain and midfield lynchpin Leroy Millar after missing much of last season through injury and there is strong competition for the goalkeeper shirt with last season’s number 1 Jordan Williamson competing with ex-Ards and Dungannon man Sam Johnston.
In last season’s encounters, there were 2 draws (in December and April) at Warden Street, with Marcus Kane’s injury time equaliser earning a 1-1 score line in the first game and, despite the Glens having taken a 2-goal lead (thanks to a double from Seanan Clucas) United fighting back to earn a 2-2 draw in the second, with McCartan showing his future employers just what he offers- firing home a 78th minute free kick and a late penalty. The fixture at the Oval in March saw United take all 3 points - full backs Kane and Ross Redman scoring in each half to win 2-0.
Mick McDermott: “We were all disappointed to lose away to Cliftonville last week. It’s not often a team goes to Solitude and dominates the way we did in the first half, so we know we need to capitalise on that type of dominance and chances created if we are to win games. The second half we were not up to our expected standards, but the good thing is – we all know that - the players know that and have responded well in training this week. That’s a sign of the quality professionals that we have in this Club
Tonight is our first home league game, so it’ll be great to play in front of a good home crowd for the first time in eighteen months! It is strange to think that many of our players have never played at the Bet McLean Oval in front of a crowd! We took a great support to Dungannon and Cliftonville and I know how much everyone, from players to supporters, is looking forward to having a noisy Bet McLean Oval getting behind us tonight and for the rest of the season.
At half time in this game several legendary former Glentoran players will take to the pitch to take a salute from the supporters. We know you will give them all a warm Glentoran welcome.
As this is our first home match with a normal attendance, and particularly as this is an evening kick off, we strongly request that supporters respect the rights of the local residents by parking well away from housefronts in the immediate locality. There is plenty of available parking at the Holywood Arches Heath Centre.
