Saturday 10th February
Kick Off 3.00pm
On Saturday we meet Carrick Rangers at the Bet McLean Oval in what will be the fourth meeting of the season between the 2 sides.
Carrick Rangers have proven to be Glentoran’s bogey side in the league so far this season; claiming a 2-1 win at Taylor’s Avenue in late September before mounting a dramatic comeback at the Oval in November to turn a 2-1 deficit with less than 20 minutes remaining into a shock 3-2 victory. While picking up results like that on a consistent basis has proven elusive to Stuart King’s side, they have found themselves well clear of any relegation issues and - sitting only 2 points behind Coleraine - are in the mix to claim a place in the top 6 and a chance of competing in the European Playoffs for a first time.
With Rangers having conceded the second highest number of goals in the league so far (ahead only of bottom side Newry City) they have depended heavily on the goals of strikers Danny Gibson (formerly Purkiss) and Curtis Allen; the former Glentoran men having scored half of Carrick’s 32 league goals to date between them. Experienced midfielder David Cushley and former Loughgall forward Nedas Maciulaitis chipping in with 5 and 4, respectively.
Rangers had a quiet January transfer window, with Australian midfielder Will Arnold from Central Coast Mariners and exciting winger James Teelan on loan from Crusaders the only major arrivals and Stuart Nixon going in the opposite direction to Seaview the major departure. Former Glentoran players Ross Glendinning, Joe Crowe, Kyle Cherry and Steven Gordon are likely to be in contention to play against their former side along with Gibson and Allen. Former Glens player Cameron Stewart was the club’s Player of the Month for January.
Warren Feeney: “Tuesday night v Cliftonville was a superb game of football between two in form sides. We had to go into the game with injuries to three more important players in Paddy, Niall and Rhys, but for all that we were superb in the first half put in a dominant performance and fully deserved our two-goal lead. Even though they scored one just after half time I thought we had enough in the tank to get us over the line, but a cruel injury time goal cost us badly. But Cliftonville are a very good team and if we can continue to play the way we did on Tuesday night there’ll be plenty more in this season for us.
For Saturday, we’ve played Carrick three times this season so we know it will be a difficult game and we know from experience what they’re capable of. They’ll come here with confidence, having won the last time they were here, but we’re on a good run of form so what I’m concerned about now is who we can successfully get off the treatment table then go out to pick up a positive result.”
Tickets for this game can be purchased HERE.
IMPORTANT SUPPORTER NOTICES
- The Board of Directors remind supporters that under no circumstance is anyone permitted to bring flares, fireworks or any other sort of pyrotechnic equipment into the Bet McLean Oval at any time. These are highly dangerous to other supporters and potentially to players. Any breach of this rule will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Persons breaking this rule will receive a lifetime ban from the Bet McLean Oval and will be reported to the police.
- We strongly request that supporters respect the rights of the local residents by parking well away from housefronts in the immediate locality. There is plenty of available parking at the Holywood Arches Heath Centre.
