Following a first domestic defeat of the season last weekend at home to Crusaders, Glentoran now face a difficult trip to play Cliftonville at Solitude this weekend in the Danske Bank Premiership. The Glens will be without Calum Birney who picked up an ankle injury against the Crues and Mark Miskimmin (ankle) is also rated as doubtful. Striker Aaron Boyd could make his first start for Glentoran though having tasted first team action briefly as a substitute last weekend.
Champions Cliftonville got the defence of their title off to a great start with three consecutive 4-2 victories against Ards, Linfield and Warrenpoint Town. Despite taking the lead against Portadown at Solitude on matchday 4, the Reds ultimately lost 2-1 with Portadown's winner coming in the last minute of the game. Live on SKY TV, Cliftonville then suffered a second home defeat when Coleraine beat them 3-1. Last weekend though a solitary goal at Ballymena United was enough to see Cliftonville return to the top of the Premiership.
Last season the two sides met on five occasions. Joe Gormley and Stephen Carson were the goal scorers in the first league meeting of the season at Solitude in August and the teams finished level again (1-1 Jimmy Callacher & Liam Boyce) in the Oval meeting in early November. Glentoran took the lead in game 3 at Solitude on 7th January but the Reds ran out 4-1 winners on that occasion. Glentoran gave newly crowned champions, Cliftonville, a guard of honour when they came to the Oval on 16th April. 2 goals from Andrew Waterworth and another from Carl McComb gave the Glens a 3-nil victory. The final meeting of the season came on May 4th when the sides contested the 2013 Irish Cup final. Glentoran came out on top, winning 3-1 after extra time.
Tickets are NOT REQUIRED for this game. Payment at turnstiles; Adult £10 and Concession £7.