Glenavon arrive at the Oval tomorrow afternoon in 5th place in the Danske Bank Premiership, one place and three points ahead of Glentoran. With both clubs sharing a +8 goal difference, a win for Glentoran would see them climb above the Lurgan Blues in the table.
This will be the third meeting of the teams this season; the previous two being at Mourneview Park in October. The first of those was in the Premiership and Glentoran, thanks to goals from Jordan Stewart and David Scullion, recorded a 2-1 victory; their first away win of the campaign. (You can watch the goals from that game again on BBC Sport NI HERE )
Just three days later the two sides met again, this time in the Wasp Solutions League Cup. Again Glentoran came out on top, this time winning by an emphatic 5-1 scoreline. Curtis Allen's free-kick set us on our way before a Fra McCaffrey hattrick and a goal from Jordan Stewart put Glentoran into the quarter-final. (You can watch the goals from that game again on BBC Sport NI HERE ).
That 5-1 victory was undoubtedly our best performance of the season.....up until last Saturday anyway! The victory over Ballymena Utd at the Oval a week ago showed what the team are capable of when they are all working hard and giving their all. It was a superb display and although Jordan Stewart was justifyably given the 'Man of the Match' award there were 10 others who weren't far behind.
Marcus Kane (broken toe) and Willie Garrett (ankle injury) will have to sit this one out however David Scullion could return to the squad after missing the last two games. Glenavon will have to do without striker Kevin Braniff. He misses out due to a red card picked up last weekend.
We've another excellent edition of the Glentoran Gazette available at the game for just £3 or you can buy one online HERE. The in-form Jim O'Hanlon is the player interviewed this week and we've some great photographs by Thomas Sewell of last Saturday's game at the Oval. David Brownlee has captured the Vienna Cup Centenary celebrations at the City Hall and Philip Stevenson brings us up to date with the Glentoran Legends and their game last weekend. Stephen Boyd (Glentoran Seconds) is interviewed and Jake Proctor looks back at the amazing Borussia Monchengladbach side which graced the Oval in '74. 'My Oval' features Ricky Rea................there's all the other regular stuff in there too. Pick one up just inside the turnstiles.
