Glentoran exited this season's UEFA Europa League following defeat at Fir Park on Thursday evening however although the scoreline suggests a comfortable win for the hosts, it doesn't tell the true story of the game.
Following the magnificent Irish Cup win and the victory over HB Torshavn, the Glens squad travelled to Scotland in a chartered aircraft in confident mood.
Based at the 'Double Tree by Hilton' at Bellshill, all the pre-match arrangements and schedule were very professional.
There was some doubt about the game going ahead though as some horrendous weather in late afternoon prompted a pre-match pitch inspection however an easing of the rain and some considerable work by the Motherwell groundstaff meant we were ok to proceed.
Glentoran fielded the same starting XI that had lined up a week earlier against Torshavn at the Oval; the team wearing black armbands as a mark of respect to former director, Tom Neill who sadly passed away earlier in the week.
With just 7 minutes on the clock the Glens went forward and skipper Marcus Kane saw his cross-shot cleared for a corner. From the set piece though the home side broke at pace and had a 3 v 2 advantage however excellent defending stalled Motherwell's break and when Christopher Long did get a shot away it was well wide of the target. 3 minutes later Seanan Clucas picked up a yellow card. It was a strong, solid tackle where he clearly won the ball but the officials deemed it to be over aggrressive and awarded a free kick.
Motherwell's Mark O'Hara forced a save out of Dayle Coeling whilst following a Gael Bigirimana free kick in midfield, Marcus Kane had an effort on goal. The skipper's effort with his weaker right foot was on target but unfortunately straight at Northern Ireland international keeper, Trevor Carson. Glentoran were very much a match for the Scottish Premiership side at this point and just before the half hour mark were unlucky not to edge in front. A cross from the left by the Glentoran captain broke to Paul O'Neill on the edge of the area. O'Neill's effort was deflected and with Carson going the wrong way, unfortunately for the Glens, the ball went agonizingly wide of the post. From the corner Ruaidhri Donnelly might have scored but his fine headed effort was superbly saved by Carson.
That seemed to spark Motherwell into life and Coeling was forced to save from both Stephen O'Donnell and Christopher Long in the space of a couple of minutes. Back came Glentoran and Robbie McDaid set up a chance for Seanan Clucas but his shot went wide of the post. As halftime approached there was one more chance for the hosts but former Motherwell midfielder, Gael Bigirimana made a great defensive block.
HT: Motherwell 0-0 Glentoran
Glentoran continued to be psoitive after the break. On 47 minutes a long throw from the excellent Caolan Marron found Paul O'Neill in the area. O'Neill met the ball but his volley went straight up in the air and was then punched clear by Trevor Carson. On 50 minutes Motherwell were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal. Mark O'Hara struck it well but the Glentoran defensive wall stood firm; Keith Cowan taking the ball straight in the face! A minute later Seanan Clucas was given a second yellow card for a challenge deep in the Motherwell half.
Despite being down to 10 men for the next 5 or 6 minutes Glentoran continued to search for the opening goal. Cricky Gallagher did well on the left and put in a superb cross which Paul O'Neill met but fired narrowly over the crossbar. Moments later a Gael Bigirimana corner from the right picked out Robbie McDaid but his header flashed just wide of the post. On 57 minutes though the home side edged in front when Callum Lang flicked the ball home from close range. Glentoran brought on Jamie McDonagh for Paul O'Neill and the Glens number 17 almost had an instant impact, going past Ricki Lamie before being pulled down by the 'Well defender (yellow card) on the edge of the area. McDonagh took the free kick himself; an excellent cross into the danger area which was defended well by the home side.
Any hope the Glens had of a miraculous comeback was ended in the 72nd minute when Stephen O'Donnell scored a fantastic goal, smashing the ball past Coeling from fully 25 yards. The home side were boosted and Glentoran deflated. Further goals from Polworth (75), Watt (78) and Long (87) gave the scoreline a very unbalanced look and certainly it was far from a true reflection on how the game had actually played out. Motherwell, who have their biggest and most expensive squad in their history came into the game with only 2 points from their opening 5 Scottish Premirship games and the first goal in this game was always going to be critical. Had the Glens got it through Donnelly, McDaid or O'Neill, it might have all turned out so differently. It could be argued that the sending off changed the game but so too did the missed chances.
Cameron Stewart and Ciaran O'Connor were introduced late on by manager Mick McDermott and as the game neared its conclusion O'Connor was felled in the box; referee Bram van Driessche awarding the Glens a penalty. Robbie McDaid stepped up and slammed the ball past Carson. It was Robbie's 50th goal for Glentoran and the team certainly deserved it on their performance. Whilst the full time result is disappointing the last month has shown that Glentoran are continuing to climb. The Irish Cup is residing in the Glentoran boardroom and two European games have given the club a serious financial boost. There's plenty to look forward to as a new season approaches.
Fulltime: Motherwell 5-1 Glentoran
Photographs by PACEMAKER
Glentoran: Coeling, Marron, Kane (c), Cowan, McClean, Gallagher (O'Connor 78), Bigirimana, Clucas, O'Neill (McDonagh 61), Donnelly (Stewart 72) & McDaid.
Unused subs: Brown, McCullough, Mitchell & Crowe.
