Glentoran’s players celebrated the club’s 140th birthday in some style this evening with this very comprehensive and stylish Danske Bank Premiership win over Carrick Rangers at the Bet McLean Oval, extending our unbeaten start to the season to ten games.
The only change from Tuesday’s win over Warrenpoint was the inclusion of Olly Webber in goal for his second match since returning to the club. Aaron McCarey was unwell. Terry Devlin, James Singleton and Ally Roy returned to the bench after injury.
The Glens started as they have done in recent games, in a positive manner, with Hrvoje Plum very influential in the early stage. The Croatian was involved in the home team’s opening goal after fifteen minutes when his free kick was met with a lovely header home from centre back Aidan Wilson for his third goal of the season.
Nine minutes later came the second. After some excellent play involving Plum and Conor McMenamin, birthday boy Bobby Burns slipped a delightful through ball to Jay Donnelly who made no mistake with a clinical finish.
The third came three minutes later when Jay turned provider as his good work on the left with skipper Marcus Kane was finished by a deft turn and unstoppable shot from Shay McCartan, who was on fire throughout. The Glens then had a penalty claim rejected after Shay had crossed into the box after a searing run down the left.
It looked like the goals were finished for the half until a minute into injury time when Conor McMenamin latched on to a great pass from Rory Donnelly to turn, control and blast into the roof of the Carrick net.
Half Time: Glentoran 4-0 Carrick Rangers
Mick McDermott made a half time change with Marcus Kane replaced by Terry Devlin and Bobby Burns switching to left back.
The Glens continued to dominate but without reward as the post denied Rory Donnelly was denied the goal his performance deserved, Bobby Burns shot just wide from distance and ex Glens keeper made a good save from Conor McMenamin.
Glentoran’s fifth and final goal of the night came on 74 minutes and again Plum was involved as his corner was met by Paddy McClean to head his third goal of the week!
The unbeaten Glens are now one point behind Larne at the top of the table with a game in hand.
Full Time: Glentoran 5-0 Carrick Rangers
Photographs by PACEMAKER
Glentoran: Webber, Marshall, Kane (c) (Devlin 45), McClean, Wilson Devlin (Wightman 53), Plum (Singleton 75), Burns, McCartan (Murray 66), R. Donnelly, J. Donnelly (Purkis 64) & McMenamin (Roy 64).
