Saturday 12th October 2019, Kick Off 3.00pm
On Saturday we are delighted to welcome our friends from Carrick Rangers back to both the Danske Bank Premiership and to the Oval, following a season in the Championship.
Carrick are currently ninth in the table, with six points from two wins and seven defeats. They come here in the back of three consecutive defeats. But we’ve been there before with Carrick so we will need to be ready and determined for this one.
Carrick’s last visit to the Oval was in April last year when they were fighting relegation. In that occasion Rangers were 2-1 winners after a first half opener from James Ferrin (now a Carrick player) was cancelled out by second half goals by Lee Chapman (now back at Taylor’s Avenue following a brief second spell at the Oval where many people felt he wasn’t given a fair crack) and Eamonn McAllister. Despite being just eighteen months ago, no fewer than ten of the fourteen players who featured for Glentoran that day have subsequently left the Oval (including Daniel Kelly who is likely to figure for Carrick today). In fact, with Curtis Allen and Calum Birney still injured, only Marcus Kane and Elliott Morris are likely to feature in Saturday’s squad.
Carrick manager Niall Currie said of this match: “"Glentoran is going to be a difficult game, but I don't want our season to boil down to the games against the likes of Dungannon and Warrenpoint. The players have done well, and the performances have been good, but we have to look for more than that. We have to learn from the defeat to Coleraine, because it was cheap”
Mick McDermott: “Our defeat at Coleraine on Tuesday was both disappointing and undeserved. We were down to ten men early on, but we readjusted to compensate for that, and I felt we played well and controlled the game for long periods. That was an achievement against a full strength, in form Coleraine team as we had a radically changed team through injuries suspensions and a desire to give some of our other players a run. The boys worked superbly and worked exceptionally hard for the seventy minutes we were down to ten. I think Jonny Frazer’s two disallowed goals were both fair but also, we had good chances for Elvio and Hrvoje and – like Cliftonville last week – if you don’t take your chances you won’t win matches.
For Saturday we have a virtual full-strength squad, apart from the longer-term injuries to Curtis and Calum. We went to Coleraine without four quality centre forwards – Curtis, Robbie, Darren and Paul – but I felt Antonio did very well in his first start for us and Jonny supported him well. Also, Navid did really well in his substitute debut. He was very likely and took his goal very well. That’s the sort of player he is, and we can look forward to more of that from Navid.
We know how important it is to get back to winning and to build on our positive start to the season. After Saturday we’ll have played all eleven teams, so we know what we’re up against and what we have to do over the rest of the season. I’m looking forward to that, as are the players.”
Following the success of the recent trial of a cash free gate, two cash free gates will be open for this game. This has clearly proved very popular with Glentoran supporters.
Saturday's match sponsor is Mosgrove and Sons
441a Beersbridge Road
Belfast
Mosgrove & Sons offer expert car repair and car servicing across all makes and models, as well as MOT testing, diagnostics and 24-Hour breakdown services.
At Mosgrove & Sons they provide the best possible quality service in the following areas:
- MOT Prep
- Servicing
- Brakes
- Timing Belts
- Clutches
- The most up to date diagnostic equipment.
Roadside recovery, Puncture Repairs and Tyre fitting is also available.
Telephone: 028 9065 5588
For After-hours Roadside Puncture Repairs or Tyres: 07834738803
https://www.facebook.com/MosgroveSonsLtd
"We have always supported local sport over the years by way of sponsorship of Youth Organisations, Youth Football Teams, Dart Teams and the Glentoran Disability Football Team.
This season we have decided to partner with Glentoran F.C, with recent investment, it's an exciting time for the club and for the future".
https://www.facebook.com/MosgroveSonsLtd/videos/534234744018223/?t=8
