Report by Andrew Morrison
A momentous night at Inver park saw Glentoran draw with Larne for the third time this season. The match also saw club Captain Marcus Kane make his 300th appearance with Patrick McClean making his 50th since signing from Derry City in August 2019.
There was a worrying start for the Glens as striker Robbie McDaid went down inside five minutes holding his shoulder after an awkward fall. After receiving treatment, ` he was able to continue.
After an opening 23 minutes which saw few chances the home side took the lead. The opening goal came courtesy of Jeff Hughes after a corner from Tomas Cosgrove found him at the back post.
Larne nearly doubled their lead just minutes later after a three versus two counterattack saw the ball fall to McMurray on the edge of the box. Fortunately for the Glens the forward put the ball straight into the arms of Coleing.
Glentoran’s first effort of note came after 28 minutes. A good run from Robbie McDaid led to Paul O’Neill receiving the ball from the edge of the box. The 21-year-old opted to shoot but his effort was comfortably collected by Devlin in goal.
Robbie McDaid then had the away side’s best chance of the half. Chris Gallagher picked the ball up on the left wing and beat the full back before drilling a low cross into the six-yard box. Unfortunately, the onrushing Robbie McDaid put his sliding effort just wide of the post.
Late in the first half Dayle Coleing made two excellent saves, the first a clean catch from a Marty Donnelly long range effort, followed by a fingertip over the bar from former Glens midfielder John Herron.
As the half came to a close Glentoran seemed to be growing in confidence. After coming close on a couple of occasions they crucially couldn’t find a breakthrough as the sides went into the break at 1-0.
Half Time Larne 1-0 Glentoran
The Glens finally got their breakthrough in the opening moments of the second half. Following a move involving six Glentoran players, Marcus Kane cross from the left flank was flicked on by Cricky Gallagher at the edge of the box and found McDaid free at the penalty spot. After a perfect first touch Robbie finished from close range to even the scoring. Yet another important goal at an important time for the number eleven,
The home side were the next to come close with Mark Randall making an impact from the bench. Immediately after coming off the bench he flicked a header towards the far top corner beating Coleing but not the bar before going out of play.
Glentoran then had withstand a period of sustained pressure from the home side. Larne created multiple chances without seriously troubling the Glens defence who themselves looked more threatening on the counter.
Chances for both sides were hard to come by as the second half went on. A driven corner from Dale Gorman forced a save from Devlin and for a while it was most testing effort either goalkeeper had to deal with.
Then in the 86th minute there was a late penalty shout for Larne. Marcus Kane seemed to miscue a clearance in his own box which led to the ball falling to David McDaid who under pressure from Kane went to ground. Referee Tony Clarke deemed it to be a fair challenge much to the frustration of the home side.
Photography by Pacemaker
Just moments later a long ball forward into the Glentoran box led to a slip from Caolan Marron. McDaid again appealed for a penalty only for the referee’s decision to be in the Glens favour for a second time.
Following the second penalty shout there was another big decision for Tony Clarke who decided to red card Andrew Scott. The 20-year-old was on the home bench but was carded for his reaction to the late drama.
Following the dramatic final moments Mick McDermott’s men comfortably held on for a point to extend our unbeaten run to six games. Next stop Seaview on Tuesday night..
Full Time Larne 1-1 Glentoran
Glentoran: Dayle Coleing, Caolan Marron, Luke McCullough, Patrick McClean, Marcus Kane (Captain), Rhys Marshall (Jamie McDonagh 74), Gael Bigirimana, Hrvoje Plum (Dale Gorman 61), Chris Gallagher, Robbie McDaid, Paul O’Neill (Rory Donnelly 66)
