Warrenpoint Town v Glentoran
Saturday 18th November 2017
Glentoran travel to Milltown on Saturday for the first time since October 2015. We won our home game in September 2-0 with goals from Curtis Allen and Robbie McDaid. ‘Point currently lie ninth in the table but carry a fair amount of attacking threat with their three Murrays up front so we will need to be totally focussed from the start on getting the game won and safe.
We have won each of their previous four league visits to Warrenpoint. The Glens’ last trip was the closest as it resulted in a 0-1 away win due to a late winner from Jim O’Hanlon. However this will be a very different Glens squad as 6 of the players who figured that day have now left the club, including Conor McMenamin, now of course at ‘Point. Curtis Allen scored his first hat trick for the club in a 2-5 win at Milltown in October 2014. Something similar would be very welcome this weekend.
Warrenpoint Town Media Officer Jack Gilsenan said to www.glentoran.com”: Two seasons ago we were relegated on the last game of the season and it was our aim to come right back out of the Championship. We did this successfully with the help of now Glentoran player, John McGuigan, who was simply outstanding and as a club we can't thank John enough for his effort in the blue and white of the 'Point. We are sorry that John will be missing for the Glens this weekend due to injury, but at the same time its good news for us as we know how much of a threat he brings. Glentoran have bags of quality throughout the whole team and it is for games against the likes of the Glens that we want to be in this league. We thank Glentoran for the big support they bring down to Milltown, which we appreciate.
We go into this fixture, after a six pointer away win to Carrick Rangers, in which Stephen Murray scored twice. This was probably a result that was always coming for us as overall this season, we have been playing very well but not getting the results we might have wanted. We also welcomed back Jordan Dane last Saturday after having him missing from the first game of the season. Earlier in the season, we made the journey to the Oval, and gave a very good account of ourselves. In the first half, we felt we should have been going in with the lead at half time if we had taken our chances. But after a slack 15 minutes in the second half which included a stunning free kick, we found ourselves 2-0 down very quickly. One of our biggest results of our short career as a football club was our 4-0 win away to Glentoran in January 2016. A simple one goal win would be as famous a victory for our small club this weekend, but we know how difficult that will be and we look forward to the challenge”.
Gary Haveron said after training on Thursday night: “Tuesday night’s result was very disappointing, especially as we lost due to two needless, late penalties at a time we were on top after dominating most of the second half up to that point. There were positives in the match, most significantly Dylan Davidson’s performance on the left. Dylan will get stronger with every game he plays and gives us a threat we’ve lacked since he and John McGuigan have been out. I was also delighted for Robbie getting his goal after a frustrating spell. He really deserved his goal and I’m sure with Dylan back his deliveries will really help the two forwards and I know his goal on Tuesday will really help Robbie kick on.
Ross Redman is likely to be out for a couple of weeks with an injury that’s been niggling him since August so he needs some rest and treatment. Tre Sterling is doubtful with a calf injury while Nathan won’t be able to train until Tuesday. When he does it won’t be long ‘til he’s back in the squad. Calum isn’t ready yet so James Ferrin – who did well when he came on against Glenavon, will be in contention for a start."