Glentoran Seconds 5–0 Newry City Reserves (18 September 2023)

    

 

A quick fire early  double from Killian McCandless and goals from Casey Smyth, James Douglas and Caolan Hardy gave the third placed Wee Glens a comfortable win over Newry City at Ashfield this evening.

Four smashing goals in the first half saw the glens come in four up at half time. The pressure, pace and movement of the front three caught Newry on the back foot from the  start. McCandless scored his double with two assists from Casey Smyth on the right-hand side.

Smyth was again on top form and got his name on the score sheet when he broke down the right, checked back on his left and bent the ball into the bottom corner. The fourth goal came with a stunning 25yard left foot strike from James Douglas  on the edge of the box.

The second half was a much more controlled affair. Newry battled hard and tightened up at the back. The Glens worked hard in possession and it was only the 74th minute when we scored our final goal when sub Caolan Hardy struck from inside the box after he latched on to a dangerous cross from Cillian McCann.

Glentoran Seconds: Lorcan Donnelly, Odhran Bell (c), Tony McElhone, Jonathan Russell, Callan Farley,  Bailey Locke, James Douglas, Cole Killops, Killian McCandless, Casey Smyth, Leon Boyd

Subs: Cillian McCann, Barry McKervey (for Russell 54), Ross Boyd (for Leon Boyd 68), Caolan Hardy (for Locke 68), Dylan Hayes (for McElhone 68)

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Cliftonville Olympic 0-3 Glentoran Seconds (11 September 2023)

A strong Glentoran Seconds team moved third in the league table with this comprehensive win over a strong Cliftonville line up at Solitude this evening.

The Glens were boosted by a number of first team squad members playing their way back to match fitness, with a particularly pleasing inclusion of Sean Murray for his first start at any level since 2nd January. They were also boosted by the return of Leon Boyd and Rhys Walsh from international duty with Northern Ireland U19s and with the return of 18-year-old Jonny Russell who has been doing so well with the senior squad.

On 14 mins the Glens took the lead with a typical goal from Rhys Walsh. Rhys picked up the ball wide left and cut in on his right foot and hit the net with a great strike into the far corner. Shortly after the Glens added to their tally when Sean Murray struck the ball through a crowd of defenders into the net.

Second half the glens sealed all three points with a world class free kick from Rory Donnelly. Rory stepped up from a good 25yards and gave the keeper no chance as the ball rattled off the bat and into the net.

A great effort from everyone involved tonight and great to see the senior players encourage and support the younger lads in the squad.

Glentoran Seconds: Lorcan Donnelly, Leon Boyd, Tony McElhone, Jonathan Russell, Odhran Bell, (captain), Rhys Walsh, Cameron Palmer, George Feeney, Rory Donnelly, Casey Smyth, Sean Murray

Subs: Callan Farley (for Donnelly75), James Douglas (for Murray 45), Cole Killops (for Smyth 75),  , Caolan Hardy, Killian McCandless

 

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Glentoran Seconds 1-0 Ballymena United Reserves (4 September 2023)

A second half penalty from Jude Johnson was enough to give the Wee Glens all 3 points at Ashfield this evening.

Overall it was a tough encounter with the young glens coming away with a hard fought one nil win.

The first half end up scoreless with neither team creating any clear chances. Second half the game opened up. Glens eventually took the lead on 55 mins when Jack Watson was brought down in the box. Jude Johnston stepped up and struck a great penalty past the United keeper.

Glentoran could have doubled their lead  when Ryan Bailie hit a wonderful strike from all of 30yards, the ball smashed off the bar and bounced back out of the net. Unfortunately, the ref couldn’t judge from his distance to rule whether or not it had clearly crossed the line.

However the Glens boys had dug deep and fought out a well-deserved one nil victory.

Glentoran Seconds: Lorcan Donnelly, Barry McKervey, Cillian McCann, Odhran Bell (captain), Callan Farley, James Douglas, Tony McElhone, Cole Killops, Jack Watson, Jude Johnson, Killian McCandless

Subs: Dylan Hayes (for Farley 80), Caolan Hardy (for Douglas 75), Luke Doran (for Killops 80), Daniel Beatty (for Johnson 60), Ryan Bailie (for McKervey 75)

 

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Crusaders Reserves 4-3 Glentoran Seconds (28th August 2023)

A very young Glentoran team was unfortunate to lose to last season’s League Champions at Seaview, with a hat trick from the experienced Mikhael Kennedy the difference between the sides.

In the first half the Glens boys started on the front foot and took the lead on three mins. George Feeney broke clear and rounded the keeper to finish in style. Crusaders  then fought back and equalised through Kennedy on twenty mins. It remained that way until the break/

The second half was a much more open game as both teams attacked at every opportunity. The young glens went 2-1 up on 51 mins  when Cillian McCann latched on to a ball just inside the box and finished with a great strike through a crowd of defenders. Unfortunately the lead was short lived as crusaders broke early and Kennedy scored to make 2-2 only a minute later.

Crusaders scored two more goals on 72rd and 80th minutes through Bradley Maguire and Kennedy. But the Glens didn’t stop working and made it 4-3 on the final whistle when George Feeney added to his tally with a strike from inside box.

Overall a very encouraging performance and also a learning experience for the Wee Glens.

Glentoran Seconds: Lorcan Donnelly, Barry McKervey, Ross Boyd, Odhran Bell (captain), Dylan Hayes, Callan Farley, Cillian McCann, Cole Killops, John Paul Lagan, Jude Johnson, George Feeney.

Subs: Killian McCandless (for Johnson 73), Marcus Fitzsimons (for McCann 68), Jack Watson (for McKervey 68), Ryan Bailie (for Phillips 68),  Colm McKee (for Lagan 68)

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Glentoran Seconds 0-1 Loughgall Reserves  (14th August 2023)

A 56th minute goal by Daire Kelly cost a relatively experienced Glens team the points in this NIFL Under 20 Premiership game at the Bet McLean Oval.

Unlike last week at Inver Park, a number of senior squad players – Patrick McClean, Josh Kelly and Junior were given a run out to build up match fitness. Loughgall also took the opportunity to get valuable game time for a few first team players.

The first half was  a scrappy affair. Loughgall battled strongly and defended as a unit from front to back. Early in the half Rhys Walsh and Casey Smyth caused trouble on either wing but unfortunately couldn’t hit the target or find the strikers to create any clear-cut goal scoring opportunities.

 The second half started in a similar manner,  with both teams batting to get control off the second ball. On 56 mins Loughgall  scored what would prove to be the winner with Kelly’s back post header.  The goal forced the Glens boys to up the tempo in the push for an equaliser. Over the last 30 minutes Glentoran missed three or four half chances but couldn’t hit the target.

Glentoran Seconds: Lorcan Donnelly,  Leon Boyd, Jonathan Russell (captain), Odhran Bell, Patrick McClean, Josh Kelly, Rhys Walsh, Casey Smyth, Bailey Locke, Junior, Jordan Jenkins.

Subs: Callan Farley (for Junior 46), James Douglas (for Boyd 59),Tony McIlhone (for McClean 73) , Jude Johnson (for Kelly 46), John Paul Lagan (for Bell 73)

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Larne Olympic 1-1 Glentoran Seconds  (14th August 2023)

A very young Glentoran Seconds squad with no players who had experienced first team action as Jonny Russell, Leon Boyd and Jordan Jenkins had been called up to the first team squad for Tuesday’s Sports Direct Premiership match at Loughgall,  earned a well-deserved point on their travels against Larne Olympic at Inver Park.

The young glens were well on top in the first half and deservedly opened the scoring on 20mins when 15-year-old George Feeney latched on to a long ball, he then rounded the keeper to finish in style.

Second half Larne started the brighter and equalised on 56mins with a great strike from the edge of the box. James Douglas had a chance to win the game only for a good save from Larne’s goalkeeper.

The Glens  boys battled hard in the second half and matched Larne stride for stride to come away with a point. Considering the absence of the 3 already mentioned plus Rhys Walsh and last week’s hat trick hero Casey Smyth, this was a great performance from the young lads, whose work ethic was fantastic for the duration of the game.

Goalscorer George Feeney

Glentoran Seconds: Lorcan Donnelly, Barry McKervey, Ross Boyd, Odhran Bell (captain), Dylan Hayes, James Douglas, Tony McIlhone, Jude Johnson, Bailey Locke, Cillian McCandless. George Feeney.

Subs: Cillian McCann (for McKervey 68), Ciaran Rogers-Duffy, Ryan Bailie (for Locke 68) Jake Harrison, Cal Weatherup (for McCandless 68)

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Glentoran Seconds 4-3 Glenavon Reserves (7th August 2023)

Glentoran Seconds started their NIFL U20 Premiership campaign with a wonderful fightback at Ashfield tonight to beat Glenavon Reserves 4-3 at Ashfield.

A Casey Smyth hat trick and an 87th minute winner from Jordan Jenkins saw the very young Wee Glens home after trailing 1-3 in the 53rd minute.

The Glens  started the game very brightly with plenty of [possession and causing Glenavon trouble down both channels with Casey Smyth and Leon Boyd running well at the full backs. They opened the scoring when the ball broke through the middle and Smyth scored with a confident finish. However 2 minutes of madness immediately before half time saw Glenavon go inro the break 2-1 up. First goal came from a diagonal ball  to winger Jesse Turner struck home. Almost immediately we had two chances to clear our lines from a Glenavon corner. But eventually their number 9 Daniel Shiel forced it the over line .

The Seconds started the second half well, but somewhat against the run of play we went 3-1 down with their left winger Jay McDowell scoring with a diagonal strike into the far corner.

After the home side made two subs on the hour, two minutes later Casey Smyth scored again to make it 3-2. Glenavon attempts to hold a high line ultimately creating space in behind for Glentoran wide men.

Glens boss John Gregg  then changed the system to 4-4-2. After a few half chances missed, Glentoran equalised with a great goal. Tony McElhone found Smyth wide left with a diagonal ball. Casey checked inside the box sent two Glenavon players one way as he cut back on his right and calmly finished into the net to complete a wonderful hat trick.

The winner then  came on the 87th minute when Jordan Jenkins popped up with a great strike from outside the box. The ball dropped to JJ over 20 yards. He turned  and hit it early into the bottom left corner.

 

Glentoran Seconds: Lorcan Donnelly, Barry McKervey, Ross Boyd, Odhran Bell (captain), Dylan Hayes, James Douglas, Tony McIlhone, Jude Johnson, Jordan Jenkins, Leon Boyd, Casey Smyth

Subs: Cillian McCann (for McKervey 60), Ciaran Rogers-Duffy, Jack Watson (for J Boyd 64), Owen O’Neill (for Hayes 60)

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