An excellent performance from Glentoran at the Bet Mclean Oval this afternoon comfortably ensured all three points for the home side. A birthday treat for our majority shareholder Ali Pour who was in the stand with his family.
With Aaron McCarey suspended, Ollie Webber started in goal, Aidan Wilson returned after suspension for the injured Aaron Wightman, and we had the very welcome sight of a returning Rhys Marshall on the subs bench.
The tone was set in remarkable fashion from the outset: David Fisher capitalised on some woeful Coleraine defending to put the Glens in front after only 30 seconds on the clock. A dreadfully misjudged back pass from Jake Wallace was decisively intercepted by our number 19, who made no mistake from 12 yards to slot past a stranded Rory Brown.
Glentoran continued to press their advantage in the aftermath of the first goal. Niall McGinn was unlucky to see his shot go over the bar in the 13th minute after good work from Dáire O’Connor. He was also unlucky to see another shot blocked shortly after, following excellent work from Bobby Burns and David Fisher in the build-up. The Oval faithful continued to roar on a home side determined to produce a high-scoring performance.
However, Coleraine played their part in an entertaining first half to ensure some semblance of a contest. Liam Lynch caused concern with a fierce effort from the right-hand side of the box in the 32nd minute, with the ball fizzing past Ollie Webber’s right-hand post. Indeed, Jack Scott passed up Coleraine’s best chance of the match shortly after. His run from deep saw him collect the ball in the centre of the box, but he shot straight at the goalkeeper when it was arguably easier to score.
However, the pressure from the home side eventually told as David Fisher hit his and Glentoran’s second goal of the afternoon after 42 minutes. Bobby Burns won the ball in midfield, instantly releasing Fisher on the left-hand side of the box. A moment of real quality ensued; Fisher skilfully darted inside Jake Wallace, before decisively drilling the ball home. Glentoran were now two goals to the good, with appreciation resounding around The Oval at half time after a strong performance from the home side.
Half Time: Glentoran 2-0 Coleraine
The Glens continued to keep up the pace after the interval, with three quick-fire goals clinically ending any chance of this match becoming a contest.
After Junior was hauled down inside the box, Glentoran were given the opportunity to put the game to bed from the spot after 49 minutes. Junior very sportingly handed the ball to David Fisher, who made no mistake in completing his hat trick with a low drive down the middle. An excellent match-ball performance from the Englishman.
Four and five quickly followed in this excellent team performance, with Junior demonstrating the importance of an alert striker to score both. His first in the 52nd minute summed up the afternoon; another woefully misjudged back pass was intercepted after an excellent driving run from our number 40, with a cool finish to match. The fifth goal followed almost immediately after the restart; a long range piledriver from David Fisher was spilled by Rory Brown, with Junior making no mistake to prod home the rebound. After just ten minutes of the second half, the Glens were 5 - 0 up on our North Coast visitors and cruising.
Glentoran could have been forgiven for letting up the pressure, but the home side produced a sixth goal just after the hour. Great work by Fuad Sule in midfield set Junior free, who had the calmness to lay the ball off to Bobby Burns on the edge of the box to fire home an exquisite curling finish.
Warren Feeney flung several pairs of fresh legs into the action for the final twenty-five minutes with the points firmly secured. Rhys Marshall, Jay Donnelly, Rhys Walsh, and Seanan Clucas all entered the action to play out an extremely dominant performance from the home side. Also introduced with a few minutes left was 17-year-old debutant keeper Lorcan Donnelly after Ollie Webber had kept his third clean sheet in as many first team appearances this season. Well done Ollie!
This home performance will have supporters keen to see their team similarly negotiate some important fixtures for the club this January – including the final of the County Antrim Shield. For those still wanting to live on the high of this performance, a Glentoran Legends XI will play an NI Veterans select XI tomorrow (Sunday 14th) at The Blanchflower Stadium.
Full Time: Glentoran 6-0 Coleraine
Glentoran: Webber (L Donnelly 90), Wilson, Russell, McCullough(c), McClean, Sule (Marshall 65), Burns (Clucas 72), McGinn (Walsh 65), Junior & Fisher (J Donnelly 60).
Subs (Not used): Kane, McCartan
Hat Trick Hero David Fisher receives his Man of the Match award from Aaron Watson of match sponsor JAHN Media
Photography by PACEMAKER
Glentoran majority shareholder with Club Chairman Colin Jess at today's match
Photo by Rachel Searson
