Glentoran put their poor run of league form behind them in devastating fashion with this comprehensive victory over Loughgall at the Oval this evening. There was good news even before kick-off with Luke McCullough's return from injury to take his place in the starting XI. There was also a change of formation with McCullough the central defender in a back three, five in midfield and Jay Donnelly and Junior up top as twin strikers.
There were early signs of what was to come when James Singleton fired just wide and it wasn't long before the Glens were in the lead. Fuad Sule popped up on the left wing, beat the full back and found Junior with his cross. He laid the ball off to Jay Donnelly who finished into the bottom corner from eight yards. Five minutes later it was two. Cameron Palmer's corner was nodded down to McCullough whose effort on goal lacked power but Junior was on hand to turn and hook the ball home from inside the six yard box. There had been little threat from the visitors but they came close soon afterwards. Oran Brogan's shot from twenty yards took a deflection which looked to have deceived Aaron McCarey but the big 'keeper pulled off a brilliant diving save.
This was Loughgall's only threat of the half as the Glens continued to pile forward. Junior, who showed some lovely touches throughout, set up Cameron Palmer to shoot just wide, then Palmer played in Jay Donnelly who almost rounded Berraat Turker but the Loughgall 'keeper just got a toe to the ball, and Daire O'Connor found Junior after a defensive error but his shot on the turn was deflected just wide. The third eventually came after 37 minutes. A lovely cross from Jay Donnelly just evaded Junior but fooled Turker who could only parry to O'Connor who had an easy finish. Loughgall had tried to play football at the back and were made to pay four minutes from the break. Jay Donnelly charged down a defensive header before delightfully lobbing the ball over the advancing Turker.
Half time: Glentoran 4 Loughgall 0
The Glens continued to dominate after the break. Jay Donnelly had a great chance to complete his hattrick on 51 minutes but fired over the bar from a Palmer cross and a minute later Donnelly, Bobby Burns and Singleton all had shots blocked in quick succession. There was a glimmer of hope for Loughgall when Andrew Hoey ran through on goal after a mistake in midfield but McCullough got back to make a superb last ditch tackle. This was the last real threat from the visitors as the Glens continued to create chances. A wicked long range shot from Jay Donnelly brought a great save from Turker followed by Paddy McClean having a shot cleared off the line after a corner and Singleton headed over when he really should have found the net.
On 63 minutes Warren Feeney decided to freshen things up, bringing David Fisher on in place of Jay Donnelly, and it didn't take long for the Englishman to make his mark. Three minutes after he came on he picked up a pass from O'Connor in the box and was brought down as he turned his man. A clear penalty and Fisher himself stepped up to take it, confidently beating Turker from the spot to claim his first goal for the club. Turker did manage to deny him his second with a good save soon afterwards. The sixth came with ten minutes to go, a simple goal as McClean headed home at the far post from a Burns corner. The final scoreline did not flatter the Glens, and indeed it could have been more, but there were no complaints from the fans at the final whistle. They'll be hoping for more of the same as we take on Glenavon at the Oval next Saturday.
Full time: Glentoran 6 Loughgall 0
GLENTORAN: Aaron McCarey, Aidan Wilson (sub Marcus Kane 73 mins), Luke McCullough, Paddy McClean, Bobby Burns, Fuad Sule, Cameron Palmer (sub Niall McGinn 79 mins), James Singleton (sub Josh Kelly 73 mins), Daire O'Connor, Junior (sub Ruaidhri Donnelly 79 mins), Jay Donnelly (sub David Fisher 63 mins)
Subs not used: Ollie Webber, Harry Murphy
