On a beautiful summer afternoon Glentoran faced H&W Welders at Tillysburn Park in a pre-season friendly. The Glens started brightly with both Robbie McDaid and Marcus Kane going close in the 8th minute. On a hard, uneven surface both teams found it hard to string together any decent passing moves but it was the Glens who looked most likely to score with John McGuigan having a shot blocked on 14 minutes and then Peter McMahon firing wide after being set up by McDaid. McDaid then tried his luck with a 25 yard free kick but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
Following a water break an excellent cross from the left from Ross Redman was met by McGuigan but his overhead kick was straight at the keeper. Before half time John McGuigan had another chance to break the deadlock when Marcus Kane found him in the area but he dragged his shot wide. The home side should have tested Elliott Morris in the opening minute of the second half but the Glens keeper was able to watch the ball fly well wide of the target. On 49 minutes Jack Henderson found Robbie McDaid in the area but his header flashed over. 2 minutes later and the Glens really should have been in front. John McGuigan was felled in the area but the ball broke to Robbie McDaid. Unfortunately the Glens striker once again fired over.
Glentoran went in front on 52 minutes. Neat play between Henderson and McDaid on the right gave McDaid the chance to put the ball into the danger area. His low cross was turned home by Trialist 2. Just before the hour mark Robbie McDaid finally got the goal his all round display deserved. McDaid broke from midfield and out paced the Welders defence before sliding the ball past the keeper.
A well worked short corner from James McCarthy presented Dylan Davidson with a chance on 85 minutes. Davidson's 25 yard drive looked goal bound but was headed over for a corner. Moments later Davidson went for goal again but this time he was denied by a good stop by the Welders' keeper. In the final action of the game Paul O'Neill tried his luck with a 25 yard free kick but curled his effort wide. On a very hot day and with difficult pitch conditions, Ronnie McFall & Gary Smyth will be happy to get a good work out, a win, a clean sheet and most importantly, no injuries. Next up is a trip to Ballyclare Comrades next Saturday.
Glentoran: Morris (Nelson 73 mins), Trialist 1 (Kerr 59 mins), Redman (Trialist 3 83 mins), Birney, Garrett (Cafolla 75 mins), McMahon (Gordon 59 mins), Kane, Trialist 2 (O'Neill 72 mins), McGuigan (Davidson 66 mins) & McDaid (Trialist 4 73 mins).
Photographs by A. McCarroll
