An injury time James Singleton goal and a successful penalty shootout saved the Glens' blushes and progressed us through to the quarter final of the County Antrim Shield after a night of profligacy in front of goal at the Blanchflower Stadium tonight.
Declan Devine made five changes from Saturday’s win over Cliftonville, giving debuts to Andrew Mills, Danny Amos and Finley Thondike and a first start to Kodi Lyons-Foster. Jay Donnelly also started and Fuad Sule was serving a one match suspension.
The Glens started brightly and on eight minutes a Jay Donnelly effort from the rebound of a David Fisher shot looked to have crossed the line but the referee ruled that keeper Jack Mills had saved it. Donnelly and Lyons Foster had two other efforts before Welders took the lead on 19 minutes when, after some slack defending, Joshua Kee gave Andrew Mills no chance with a clinical finish,
If that wasn’t enough of a blow for the Glens contingent, Welders doubled their lead two minutes later. Mills collided with a home attacker and the ref immediately pointed to a penalty that was converted by former Derry City player David Parkhouse. This led to a strong Welders spell and Kee would have had a second if it wasn’t for a good save from Mills.
As the half drew to a close the Glens lifted the pace and after Paddy McClean had a header saved from a James Douglas free kick, Jay Donnelly scored a minute before the break with a piercing run and a strong finish after good work by James Douglas on the left flank.
Half Time: H&W Welders 2-1 Glentoran
The second half started more slowly than expected and eight minutes in Frankie Hvid limped off to be replaced by Harry Murphy. Jordan Jenkins also came on to replace goalscorer Jay Donnelly. From this point on – apart from a Kee effort just wide – it was all about Glens attacking, missed chances and resolute Welders defending as James Douglas hit wide from a great Dylan Connolly run and low cross and Harry Murphy had a header saved by Mills.
Glentoran’s hopes were given a boost on 64 minutes when Welders’ Ewan McCoubrey was sent off for a second yellow card, leaving us with a man advantage for 26 minutes. The Glens did lay siege on Welders’ goal with Charlie Lindsay – a sub on the hour mark – adding a further level of creativity to things. Chance after chance was created then missed until it looked like our opportunity had gone.
Step up James Singleton deep in injury time. First Singo had a good header well saved deep in injury time, but in the 5th minute of added time he was put through and with work still to do he burst into the Welders’ box and finished very cleanly for the equaliser. No more than this ever-reliable player – captain this evening – deserved.
The Glens still had time to miss two final chances before the ref blew for time. Straight into penalties with the Welders going first. The unfortunate Tiernan O'Connor missed the first kick leaving the Glens players knowing that five successful penalties would win the tie. Never an easy ask but the five Glens kickers – Fisher, Jenkins, Wassim, Connolly and Lindsay – all converted comfortably to see us through.
All in all a challenging night but when one bears in mind that Cliftonville went to penalties and Linfield had an injury time winner both against Championship opposition – the important thing was qualification against the team currently heading the Championship table. Job done!
Full Time: H&W Welders 2-2 Glentoran (4-5 on penalties)
Glentoran: Mills, Lyons-Foster, Amos, Hvid (Murphy 53), McClean, Singleton (c), Thorndike (Lindsay 77), Douglas (Wassim 72), Connolly, Fisher, Donnelly (Jenkins 53).
Subs (Not used): Gyollai, Farley, McIlhone
