A Robbie McDaid hattrick, a goal apiece from the Donnelly brothers and a peach from Hrvoje Plum gave Glentoran an emphatic win in today's Danske Bank Premiership game at the Oval.
Dayle Coleing returned in goal for this one but the main talking point pre-match was the welcome return to the starting line up of Hrvoje Plum.
There was little action of note in the opening quarter of an hour with just a couple of long range efforts to report; a Dale Gorman drive which was wide of the post and a long range looping effort from Reece Glendinning which was comfortably dealt with by Dayle Coleing.
Carrick almost grabbed a shock lead on 16 minutes when a dangerous right wing cross from Lloyd Anderson was headed just wide of his own goal by Caolan Marron. Just over a minute later though, the Glens went in front and from that point until the final whistle, were totally dominant. A quick clearance from Dayle Coleing forced Carrick to concede a throw in deep in their own half. Marcus Kane found Jay Donnelly who returned the ball to the Glentoran skipper. Kane swung the ball into the area where it was met by Robbie McDaid close to the penalty spot. McDaid's powerful header flew past former Glentoran custodian, Aaron Hogg who had no chance of keeping it out.
On 20 minutes a foul on Dale Gorman around 25 yards from goal meant an opportunity for free-kick specialist, Hrvoje Plum to mark his return with a goal. Plum's strike hit the wall though but almost looped over Hogg who did well to tip the ball over the crossbar. Midway through the opening period the Glens doubled their lead when Caolan Marron found Paul O'Neill who, in turn, fed Dale Gorman on the right flank. Gorman's deep cross was met by a diving Jay Donnelly at the back post and again Hogg was left helpless. There was a half chance at the other end for another ex-Glentoran player, Kyle Cherry but Paddy McClean blocked his 18-yard shot before clearing the danger. Glentoran were hungry for more goals though and another Dale Gorman set piece almost saw Luke McCullough get on the scoresheet. The ball seemed to deflect for a corner but referee, Andrew Davey awarded a goal kick.
10 minutes from the break a quick free kick from Dale Gorman found Paul O'Neill on the right. His pass inside created another opportunity for Robbie McDaid. His shot was blocked as were follow up efforts from Plum and Kane. Then on 39 minutes Hrvoje Plum's neat control in the area gave him the chance to open his account for the season but a deflection took the ball wide for a corner. Hrvoje wasn't to be denied though and on 43 minutes his powerful header found the top corner. Marcus Kane picked up the ball on the left touchline on halfway. He fired the ball forward to Robbie McDaid who outpaced Rodgers before crossing the ball into the box. Hrvoje Plum met it on the 6-yard line, getting in front of Carrick skipper, Mark Surgenor and heading past Aaron Hogg.
Halftime: Glentoran 3-0 Carrick Rangers
There was no let up from the Glens in the second half and Jay Donnelly nearly grabbed a 4th when his header from Marron's cross struck the post. Paul O'Neill was almost on hand to knock in the rebound but Aaron Hogg did well to get there just ahead of the young striker and smother the ball. Dale Gorman flashed a shot wide from 25 yards and then Jay Donnelly's header from a Gorman corner was just over the bar. Glentoran made a couple of changes midway through the half, introducing Jamie McDonagh and Gael Bigirimana. Then on 70 minutes the fourth goal, which the home side fully deserved, arrived. Jay Donnelly won yet another corner. Dale Gorman swung the ball in from the left and Robbie McDaid was there to head home.
Gael Bigirimana's 25-yard shot was well saved by Hogg and from the resulting corner we almost had a repeat of goal number 4 when McDaid again got his head on Gorman's left wing corner. This time though Robbie's header flew over the crossbar. McDaid forced Hogg into another save on 76 minutes and then a great cross from Jamie McDonagh found Ruaidhri Donnelly, who had replaced his brother Jay on 73 minutes, at the back post but his effort flew over the bar. Glentoran's 5th goal arrived 8 minutes from time. A superb long forward ball from Paddy McClean was volleyed across goal by Jamie McDonagh. Ruaidhri Donnelly and Mark Surgenor challenged for the ball at the back post but it broke back across goal giving Robbie McDaid a 3-yard tap in to complete his hattrick.
85 minutes and another Gorman cross to the back post was headed back across goal by Marcus Kane. Robbie McDaid met it but his shot on the turn flashed wide. In the final minute Glentoran made it 6-nil when yet another corner from the left, taken by Dale Gorman, arrived in the 6-yard box. Ruaidhri Donnelly met it and his left footed effort found the back of the Sydenham End net. It was Ruaidhri Donnelly's first competitive goal since joining the East Bealfast team in January. So overall a very comfortable win for Glentoran. 6 goals and a clean sheet moved the team up to 8th place in the early season table and with two games in hand on most of those above them, there's a great chance to continue to move in the right direction.
Full-Time: Glentoran 6-0 Carrick Rangers
Photographs by PACEMAKER
Glentoran: Coleing, Marron, Kane (c), McCullough, McClean, Gallagher, Plum (Bigirimana 68), Gorman, O'Neill (McDonagh 64), J. Donnelly (R. Donnelly 73) & McDaid.
