The teams shared the spoils in tonight’s entertaining game at the Bet McClean Oval. On a night dominated by robust defences, Glentoran can perhaps count themselves unlucky not to have taken all three points. A good performance underpinned by several excellent individual outings and a robust sense of teamwork can provide encouragement for the season ahead.
The game itself started brightly, with both teams passing the ball with intent in the early stages. Even from the outset, it looked like it might take a piece of individual brilliance or a mistake to break the deadlock.
Indeed, the first real chance of the game came from an error of judgement from James Singleton on five minutes. A misjudged back pass set Matthew Shevlin free, but he dragged himself too wide to seriously threaten Daniel Gyollai’s goal. However, he did manage to set up Rhyss Campbell who blazed his shot over the crossbar. An early let off for the Glens after a more costly mistake in our last home outing against Crusaders.
The Glens settled well after the early scare, producing a string of chances. A piece of magic from Cameron Palmer on 11 minutes saw a rasping drive from 25 yards fizz just past Rory Brown’s left-hand post. Shortly after, a good move involving Sule and Palmer showed intent before a poor final ball ended the chance. Perhaps the best of the chances during this momentum saw a neat one-touch interchange between McClean, Donnelly and Jenkins send the latter through on goal. Unfortunately, the final shot was just over the bar.
For all Glentoran’s momentum, Coleraine always showed good value on the break. A long, mazy run from Matthew Shevlin just after the half hour saw him glide through the Glens backline, only for his shot to flash over Gyollai’s bar. And the away side would end the half on a high as in the dying seconds of injury time Jamie McGonigle’s long ball set Matthew Shevlin away. Shevlin’s effort was matched by Daniel Gyollai’s dive to turn it around the post.
Both sides could be pleased with their efforts in an entertaining first half, with plenty to think about at the break.
Half Time: Glentoran 0 Coleraine 0
Declan Devine showed early intent in the second half, with David Fisher and 18-year-old James Douglas replacing Jay Donnelly and Charlie Lindsay, respectively.
The fresh faces certainly added value as Glentoran started the half extremely brightly. Jordan Jenkins produced a wonderful cross which evaded everyone on 52 minutes but was retrieved by Dylan Connolly on the far right. He did well to feed Fuad Sule, who produced a cross met by Jenkins though ex-Glens keeper Rory Brown tipped it away for a corner.
Shortly after, the Glens could consider themselves extremely unlucky not to be awarded a penalty. A mistake from the Coleraine midfield left acres of space for Cammy Palmer to run into, before producing a shot which seemed to strike Cameron Stewart’s hand in the process. The referee remained unconvinced despite the protestations of the Oval faithful. Palmer’s night would also be cut short soon after through injury, replaced by club captain Marcus Kane just after the hour.
The Glens continued to threaten in the latter stages. A long-range rasping free kick from David Fisher flew just wide on 73 minutes. An electric move shortly after involving Sule and Singleton saw Jenkins go free on the left. His cross agonisingly missed the feet of David Fisher.
Declan Devine shook things up in the final stages through a series of tactical and enforced changes. The hard working Jordan Jenkins was replaced by Niall McGinn on 76 to provide fresh legs after the latter’s non-stop efforts. JJ left the pitch to well deserved applause from the home support after a great night’s work. Unfortunately, Josh Kelly’s night was also cut short by injury to be replaced by Johnny Russell on 83. A standing ovation reception was received for his outstanding performance on the right side of the defence. as he slowly made his way to the tunnel. Best wishes Josh for a speedy recovery.
Neither team could break the deadlock in the dying moments, with the closest a David Fisher header straight at the keeper deep in injury time.
Glentoran can be pleased with a performance in which an evident show of passion and desire for the jersey was recognised by the home faithful. A particular well done to James Douglas who put in an outstanding 45 minutes in only his second first team appearance It can provide encouragement for the rest of the season, and more pressingly an away tie at Carrick Rangers on Friday evening.
Full Time: Glentoran 0 Coleraine 0
Glentoran: Gyollai, Singleton, Hvid, McClean Kelly (Russell 84), Sule (c ), Palmer (Kane 59), Lindsay (Douglas 46), Connolly, J Donnelly (Fisher 46), Jenkins (McGinn 77).
Subs (Not used): Mills, Wassim
Photography by PACEMAKER