It’s back to Danske Bank Premiership action on Saturday as Glentoran travel to Co Fermanagh to face Ballinamallard United. Whilst there remains a great deal of disappointment around the club following last Monday night’s Irish Cup defeat to Glenavon, the cup is now gone and Glentoran need to focus on finishing in as high a position as possible in the Premier League. The odds of qualifying for Europe have decreased significantly on the back of the Irish Cup exit but it is something that is still achievable and given the financial rewards on offer we must give everything we can to try to get there.
One point from our 3 remaining pre-split fixtures should be enough to secure a top six spot. Glentoran currently occupy 5th position in the Danske Bank Premiership table. We are 6 points behind 3rd placed Portadown but we have a game in hand on them. A win against Ballinamallard United would set us up nicely ahead of our games against Cliftonville and Crusaders.
We’ve faced the Mallards twice already this season, firstly in late August when the teams played out a goalless draw at the Oval. It was 0-0 again when we met at Ferney Park in November....but it was only half-time. 5 minutes after the break Calum Birney headed the Glens in front but on 56 minutes a deflected free-kick from Cathal Beacom made it 1-all. Jordan Stewart then scored a wonder goal (view it again HERE) to put us 2-1 in front and Jimmy Callacher made it 3-1 with a close range header. In stoppage time Stewart added a fourth for Glentoran.
Calum Birney and Jason Hill remain doubtful for the match with injuries whilst David Scullion, who had to come off on Monday evening, is also a doubt. Mark Clarke serves the second of his two game suspension but both Danny McKee and Fra McCaffrey are back in the squad. Jordan Hughes and Aaron Boyd both scored as Glentoran Seconds defeated Dungannon Swifts Reserves 5-1 at the Oval on Wednesday night and but will be hoping to be in the manager's thoughts for Saturday. For the Mallards, Mark Stafford will be missing as he serves a 1-match suspension for picking up 5 yellow cards.
BBC Sport NI coverage of the 0-0 draw at the Oval on 24th August 2013 HERE
BBC Sport NI coverage of the 4-1 win at Ferney Park on 23rd November 2013 HERE