A pulsating contest at the Bet McLean Oval finished all square despite the home side dominating the majority of proceedings. Many may relish an opportunity to replay their chances, perhaps most tellingly a last minute penalty miss as the full time whistle loomed. A
resilient Carrick Rangers side deserve credit in battling for a point, but the Glens will feel this represents two dropped points.
An aggressive start to the match saw both sides make their presence felt with strong challenges – particularly in the midfield battle. However, the Glens began to assert dominance: both Donnelly and Fisher overcame the tussle-of-muscle in the early stages to fire shots just past the post. In fact, it wasn’t long before David Fisher had his name on the scoresheet in the 11th minute. He competed extremely well with ex Glen-man Luke McCullough to win the second ball from a throw in, finding room on the edge of the box for a shooting position. An excellent
shot – albeit deflected – left Ross Glendinning with no chance as the ball sailed into his top left hand corner. The perfect start for the Glens in what was always billed as a tricky encounter.
The Glens had multiple chances to go further ahead and end the game as a contest before half time. Excellent play immediately after the goal between Thorndike and Donnelly put Cammy Palmer through, but a last ditch tackle spared the away side’s blushes. Thorndike
also sent Jay Donnelly through in the 17th minute, but his well-executed lob just lacked the power to out-fox Glendinning. But for all the dominance, the away side continued to flash warning signs of the never-say-die attitude which epitomises Stephen Baxter sides. A defensive mistake from James Singleton sent Paul Heatley free in the 22nd minute, with only fine goalkeeping from Gyollai preventing the equaliser. Shortly after, Nedas Maciulaitis could only flash his shot wide from an inviting corner ball opportunity. A sign of things to come. As the Glens headed up the tunnel, there remained plenty of menu options in the food-for-thought banquet at the interval.
Half Time: Glentoran 1-0 Carrick Rangers
Declan Devine had clearly drilled the importance of avoiding complacency at the interval, as the home side came out determined to add to their lead. A Jay Donnelly shot flashed just wide in the immediate action; Hvid also narrowly missed connecting with a Danny Amos corner. The pendulum almost exclusively pointing towards Glentoran ascendancy. Indeed, it is chances missed in the second half that will be most rued by players and supporters alike. An excellent corner by Amos in the 57th minute eventually fell to Dylan Connolly, who teed up Fisher to whack the crossbar. Paddy McClean forced an outstanding save from Glendinning after an Amos corner – only for Frankie Hvid to blast the rebound over the crossbar. In perhaps the pick of the bunch, Fisher failed to pick out Jay Donnelly wide-right for a tap-in which – if he’d connected - you’d bet your house. The chances kept falling for those in red, green and black. All close, but no cigar.
A suspicion among the home faithful that this may not end up being their day grew arms and legs when what looked like a certain second Glentoran goal wasn’t given in the 75th minute. Another excellent corner from Danny Amos looked to have been unorthodoxly turned home for an own goal by ex-Glen-man Danny Gibson, but the referee waved play on. If this was a boxing match, Stephen Baxter would have been invited to throw in the towel at this point. And in the style befitting of uppercuts received by Carrick Rangers in recent times, Danny Gibson would indeed breathe new life into the arena come the 79th minute. After finding space at the edge of the box, Paul Heatley flashed a dangerous cross into the box to pick out the striker, who made no mistake in heading past Gyollai. Silence reverbated around The Oval. Even with the setback, Glentoran produced more than enough chances to comfortably win this fixture in the final 11 minutes. After thrusting JJ and Douglas onto the field to replace Fisher and Thorndike respectively, Declan Devine will be disappointed that the home side lacked the clinical edge to take the three points.
Of course, the last cruel word in this contest was decided by an unsuccessful spot kick from Jay Donnelly. After a clear handball from Kurtis Forsythe was recognised, huge commotion ensured a long delay throughout stoppage time. In the end, Glendinning dived well to his left to hold not just the ball, but Carrick’s point in the contest. Glentoran must dust themselves down and remember that for the majority of this game they were in complete control of proceedings. A more clinical edge at Coleraine next week will be required, but this team continues to show they have a strong togetherness that will be vital throughout the season.
Full Time: Glentoran 1-1 Carrick Rangers
Photographs by Adam Harwood
Glentoran: Gyollai, Singleton, Amos, Hvid, McClean, Sule (c), Palmer, Connolly, Thorndike (Douglas 83), Donnelly & Fisher (Jenkins 83).
Subs (Not used): Mills, Lyons-Foster, Lindsay, Parfitt, Wassim