Carrick Rangers twice came from behind to defeat 10-man Glentoran at the Bet McLean Oval this afternoon. It was a strange game with Glentoran looking comfortable for much of it but lacking the urgency to grab a second goal when on top.
The Glens dominated the early stages without really troubling Ross Glendinning in the visitors' goal but did edge in front on 13 minutes. Skipper, Marcus Kane was fouled on the left touchline, deep in the Carrick half. Cameron Palmer took the set piece and his ball into the area was glanced home by Kane. The visitors might have levelled things up a couple of minutes later but Aaron McCarey made a superb stop to deny Nedas Maciulaitis. On 20 minutes Marcus Kane received a harsh booking following a foul on Danny Purkis. Purkis looked in agony initially but was able to continue without treatment!
Midway through the first half Marcus Kane might have doubled the Glens advantage when he almost got on the end of Paddy McClean's pass forward but Glendinning was quickly out to deny him. Cameron Palmer then got to the by-line before cutting the ball back to Daire O'Connor but he fired wide of the target. Glentoran continued to press for a second. James Singleton shot over from range and then just before the break a great cross from Aidan Wilson was met by Jay Donnelly. His header crashed off the bar with Glendinning beaten and following up, Junior saw his effort strike the post.
Halftime: Glentoran 1-0 Carrick Rangers.
On 47 minutes Palmer fed O'Connor on the right. His cross found Jay Donnelly at the back post but he couldn't turn the ball in. Carrick snatched an equaliser on 52 minutes. A corner from the visitors wasn't cleared well and when nthe ball was played back into the box Danny Purkis got between Singleton and McClean and slotted home past a helpless McCarey. Midway through the half Junior headed wide from James Singleton's cross and then moments later Jat Donnelly was knocked to the ground in the area as he tried to get on the end of a great pass from substitute, Shay McCartan.
With 20 minutes remaining Glentoran went back in front. Fuad Sule found Daire O'Connor on the right and he clipped a delightful ball into the area where Jay Donnelly was on hand to head past Glendinning. The lead lasted just 3 minutes. A long ball forward found Purkis in the area. He tried to turn inside a prostrate Paddy McClean and the ball caught McClean's trailing arm. Carrick were awarded a penalty and McClean was given a second yellow card. Purkis converted from the spot and we were level again.
With 7 minutes left the visitors grabbed the lead. A corner from the right was met at the near post by former Glentoran favourite, Curtis Allen and his header flashed in at the near post. Glentoran should have had the opportunioty to salvage a point in the 3rd minute of added time. The ball was played forward and flicked on by Jay Donnelly to Junior. Junior was rugby tackled in the area by Cameron Stewart. It was undoubtedly a penalty as all the television footage suggests. How none of the 4 officials was able to see it is inexplainable!
Photographs by PACEMAKER
Glentoran: McCarey, Wilson, McCullough, McClean, Kane (c) (McCartan 61), Singleton, Sule (Fisher 88), Palmer (Murray 76), O'Connor, J. Donnelly & Junior