Glentoran v Carrick Rangers
Bet McLean League Cup, Round Three
Tuesday 10 October 2017, 7.45pm.
On Tuesday we continue our Bet McLean League Cup campaign when we welcome last season’s beaten finalists, Carrick Rangers to the Oval.
Carrick drew 1-1 on their League visit in August when ex-Glens U20 player Lee Chapman equalised Ross Redman’s opener. Since then their League form has seen them have two wins, three defeats and a draw to sit tenth with a game in hand over Ards, one point above them. Last season’s run to the final fully involved our summer signings Daniel Kelly and Tiarnan McNicholl. Indeed an 80th wonder goal by Tiarnan gave Carrick a 1-0 win in the semi final at Mourneview Park.
Manager Gary Haveron said on Sunday night: “I was delighted to get the three points away to Ards. The boys were determined to bounce back quickly after Monday night and the fact that we scored so early in the game showed there was no hangover among the squad. Curtis did what he does so well. An opportunity was there early on and he took it well. But he also needs praised for the overall shift he put in within that formation. His running and holding of the ball did so much to bring others into the play.
I was very pleased with how we played in Bangor but I was disappointed at the lack of end product after some lovely football, especially in the first half. We shouldn’t give ourselves a nervy last 15 minutes but again I need to praise the defence, especially Calum and Jonny who really stood up and saw us through to the end. Again I was pleased with the clean sheet.
Tuesday night is important to us as we want to win every competition we enter and we want to get back to giving the supporters days and nights out at Cup Finals. So we’ll take this game seriously. Moko took a minor knock against Ards so we may rest him as we’ve another important league match against Cliftonville on Saturday. Robbie is obviously suspended for this one but Bobo Smith scored two great goals for the Under 20s at Seaview during the week and is in good form so he might get his chance. It’s helpful to have that level of competition for places.”
We have won the League Cup seven times and along with Linfield have the joint share the record number of final appearances (nine). Our last win was in 2010 when we beat Coleraine on penalties after goals from Colin Nixon and Ciaran Martyn contributed to a 2 v 2 draw at Windsor Park.
The Board of Directors at Glentoran Football Club would again request that all supporters travelling to the Oval by private car consider the local residents when deciding where and how to park.
