Glentoran 2nds travelled to Ards Rangers for the second round of the Steel & Sons Cup today, and their first competitive match since before the lockdown in March 2020.
The young squad had been training hard during pre-season, under the coaching of their Manager Norman Kelly, and were buzzing to get playing again. The boys were boosted by Willie Garrett's experience as just skipper Corai Quinn, Aaron Wightman and Seamus Duffy were there when the Seconds played their last competitive game in March 2020.
The first 20 minutes were scrappy with both teams playing at a frantic pace, struggling to adjust to the blustery conditions. First blood went to the home side through a well worked corner with a strong header from James Patterson finding the back of the Glentoran net.
The Glens Seconds responded by putting together some crisp, fast paced, quality patterns of play with Jonny Russell and Corai Quinn, the two fullbacks, pushing forward interlinking with the midfield and wingers. With 5 minutes of the first half remaining, Seamus Duffy and Jordan Jenkins got behind the Ards defence with the covering tackle resulting in a corner for the young Glens.
Seamus Duffy drove the ball deep, Willie Garret and Shay Burns charged into the box, occupying the Ards Rangers Centre Backs while young Ben McCaul peeled off round the back and met the ball full on with a perfectly timed header powering past the Ards Rangers keeper…….1-1 going into the break.
The second half saw the young Glens come out and play at a much higher tempo that stretched, challenged and moved the home side around the pitch. The Glens really started to get a hold of the game, although, it was a long clearance down the left flank that would ultimately unlock the Ards Rangers defence and lead to Jordan Jenkins first goal for Glentoran. Appeals for off side were waved away by the referee. 2-1 Glens.
Ards Rangers tried to chase the game with their full backs pushing further up the pitch looking for an equaliser. The Glens responded with some high quality counter attacks……. Aaron Wightman, Tomas Mathews, Seamus Duffy and Jordan Jenkins were all finding more and more opportunities to run at the Ards Rangers defence.
A moment of brilliance saw young Seamus Duffy dance past the Ards defenders into the box where he opened up his body and stroked the ball with the outside of his left foot bending it past the stranded Ards Rangers keeper. 3-1 Glentoran.
The Glens took control and saw out the remaining 10 minutes of the game.
Final score 3-1 Glentoran 2nds.
Glentoran Seconds: Kai Beck, Corai Quinn (Captain), Willie Garrett, Shay Burns, Jonathan Russell, Ben McCaul, Aaron Wightman, Diarmud O'Hanlon. Rory McLaughlan, Seamus Duffy, Jordan Jenkins Subs: Tomas Matthews, Mitchel Watterson, Ben Logan, Bailey Ruberry
