On Sunday the Glentoran Academy u14's took on Pat Lynch's St Pats (Dublin) u15's at The Oval. This was to be a test for the boys playing a team a whole age group up, and a fantastic experience to play on the pitch they might one day grace for the senior side. First team manager Eddie Patterson called in to watch the match and gave the boys some words of advice in the changing room before the game.
Glentoran started more brightly and took the game to their older, more experienced guests from the start. After a few half chances and a great through ball from captain Tre Sterling the 14's went 1-0 up as Toby Wright cut in from wide and slotted past the St Pats 'keeper in to the far corner of the net.
Although the second half saw Glentoran u14's manager Michael Morrow make use of his talented squad by making several changes of personnel, the boys began to tire on the bigger pitch. St Pats started to come in to the game more towards the end, and a spell of pressure lead to an equalizer with 10 mins to go. Despite the St Pats pressure, Glentoran continued to ask questions and both Reece Montgomery and Alex Hawthorne forced the opposition keeper to make saves late on.
The game finished 1-1, a fair result and one the u14's can be proud of. Eddie Patterson commented after the game "I thought the kids were excellent and could have scored another one or two. You have to remember they were playing a team a year older. It will have been a good experience for them and stand them in good stead".
The Glentoran Academy would like to thank Pat Lynch for bringing his side up to Belfast for the day, and we look forward to the return match in Dublin next year. And also a big thanks to the u15's who came down to play, Andrew Wilson, Eddie Shaw and Luke Murtagh.
Man of the match - Patrick Argent
Glentoran Football Club would like to congratulate the boys on an excellent result and hope our Dublin visitors had an enjoyable trip to East Belfast