Glentoran v Ballymena United
Friday 23rd March 2018, 7.45pm.
On Friday evening we meet Ballymena for our last match before the league split in what has become undoubtedly our most important league match of the season so far. The right result in this match will guarantee us a place in the top half of the split, a positive end to what has been a disappointing season for the club.
This is out third league meeting with United this season. The first game, in September at the Showgrounds, was a comfortable 1-3 away win for the Glens through goals from Marcus Kane, Curtis Allen and John McGuigan while in the return match in November a second half James Knowles equaliser cancelled out an early Cathair Friel penalty to settle a pretty even match at 1-1.
This time last month sixth place looked well beyond us as we were one point ahead of Ballymena having played three games more. But our improved performances and excellent results against Cliftonville, Warrenpoint, Glenavon and Linfield have put the top half back in our own hands for the first time since early December.
Apart from longer term absentee James Knowles, Ronnie McFall has a full strength squad to choose from on Friday.
Ronnie said on Wednesday evening: “We face Ballymena United on Friday night knowing that the right result will secure us a place in the top six after the split. While sixth place is not something Glentoran should ever consider as a success it needs to be seen in the context of how we’ve got to this point. A few weeks ago sixth place looked a lost cause but we’ve pulled back five points on them with our performances in the last month and that’s no mean feat! Obviously their win at Solitude on Tuesday night will have given Ballymena a boost but realistically once our form improved it was always going to come down to tonight’s match. Since Kieran and I came in the commitment, dedication and workrate of the lads has been second to none. They’ve closed the gap and put sixth place back in their own hands through their performances and results against three teams well above us in the table and that’s boosted their spirit and confidence in a way only performances and results can do. I’ve given them all a specific job to do and they’ve all done it very well so if we can keep our focus and keep doing what we have been doing then I expect us to get the result we need and give the supporters – who were outstanding at Mourneview, Coleraine and Windsor Park – something to cheer. Very few clubs have supporters who would stick with it as well as Glentoran so we want tonight’s result so they’ll be watching their team against the better sides between now and the end of the season. They deserve it”.
Before the game the teams will observe a minute's silence in respect of former Glens winger Kenny Hamilton, who died this week.
Friday's match sponsor is Nick Bonar Cars of 62 Old Carrick Rd, Newtownabbey. The match ball is sponsored by David Crymble & Sons Funeral Director of 799 Lisburn Road, Belfast and 330-332 Woodstock Road, Belfast. We thank both businesses for their generous support.
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.
