Saturday 15th March 2021, Kick Off 5.30pm
As has so often been the case this season, we again face a team for the second time in a week when Cliftonville return to the Oval tomorrow for the clubs’ sixth meeting of the season.
The Reds came away from the Oval with 3 points on each of their 2 visits last season and had generally been enjoying a recent run of good form at the Oval (4 wins in their last 5 league games prior to this season) which marked something of a change in trend, as they had won only 4 of their 20 visits prior to that, with the Glens winning on 12 of those occasions.
Happily for Glentoran, the 2 games at the Oval this season have ended in home wins - Jamie McDonagh's late wonder goal settling the last league game at the start of February and ex-Red Rory Donnelly heading the winner in last week's Irish Cup tie.
Indeed, after losing the opening league game at Solitude, Glentoran have recorded 4 consecutive wins against Paddy McLaughlin's men in all competitions, with Dale Gorman's late goal at Solitude securing the County Antrim Shield Semi Final and, more recently, second half Rory Donnelly and Ciaran O'Connor goals giving us a 2-0 league win at the end of April.
With his side having lost 3 of their last 4 league games and made an early exit from the Irish Cup, McLaughlin will be hoping to see an upturn in form prior to the Europa League playoffs. Full Back Levi Ives recently returned to the subs bench after a long layoff, but prolific striker Joe Gormley remains sidelined. Winger Daniel Kearns missed the cup tie after being substituted in the previous game against Larne and may miss out again. Strikers Michael McCrudden and Paul O'Neill will be hoping for recalls to the team after appearing as subs last weekend, with the reds having not managed a goal in any of the last 4 games between the teams.
Mick McDermott: “This is yet another big game at the Oval, with lots to play for. With three games remaining it is important to pick up as many points as we can to give ourselves the best possible chance of European football again next season. The past 2 months has been a constant Saturday/Tuesday/Saturday of massive games and the players deserve credit for their commitment and efforts. Saturday against Cliftonville will be another tough test of that commitment. European football is always a target, and we will be pushing to make that a reality.
I’m delighted to hear the Executive announce that we may have fans back at the Oval for the last game of the season s Crusaders on May 29. That will be a special day after a long, long year!”
As there will be no supporters permitted entry to this match, supporters are reminded that they can access our GlensTV live stream of the match by signing up here. Live match coverage can be purchased for £7 (which includes access to a full replay of the action), while a delayed stream will cost £3. Remember, our stream will commence just after 2.30 with a match preview programme, and our match commentator Aaron Agnew will as usual be accompanied as co-commentator by our legendary, quadruple title winning skipper Paul Leeman.
This match has been kindly sponsored by Stephen Beattie of the Raven Glentoran Supporters Club. Many thanks Stephen.
