Saturday 6th April
Kick Off 5.30pm
A second consecutive home Big Two game on Saturday gives us an immediate chance to bounce back from last week’s defeat in the Clearer Water Irish Cup.
Having looked like they might lose touch with Champions Larne in mid-February - after a run of just 1 point from 3 games - Linfield have responded strongly by picking up 4 league wins in a row to sit just 2 points off the summit as we enter into the crucial run of post-split fixtures. Confidence has been further boosted by winning the League Cup and progressing to the Irish Cup Final in that period.
Although having firmly enjoyed the upper hand overall in this season’s meetings between the sides with 4 wins out of 5, manager David Healy will not have forgotten the manner in which his side was defeated on their last league visit to the Oval last December; goals from Shay McCartan and Daire O’Connor putting the Glens firmly in control after 10 minutes before Niall McGinn added a crucial 3rd just before half time. O’Connor would go on to complete his brace after the interval to put the seal on a 4-0 victory on the night.
Photograph by JOHNNY CALDWELL
Midfielder Kyle McClean has been in strong goalscoring form; netting 7 times in his last 7 appearances while defender Michael Newberry will hope to retain his place in the side after replacing Josh Archer for Tuesday night’s win at Carrick Rangers, although defender Euan East and striker Chris McKee were again absentees from the squad.
Declan Devine: “I don’t want to dwell too much on last week’s defeat in the Irish Cup. But as I’m sure you’d expect we were all very disappointed at the manner of the defeat and how we went about the game, especially after going behind. We started well but the manner of the goals we conceded was very poor and we didn’t show what was needed to fight back when we conceded. The players know what went wrong and also the need to deal with that sort of game a lot better.
But Saturday gives us the chance to fight back and to prove we can be much more positive when playing teams like Linfield. I expect our approach to this one to be a lot more positive and to show a much greater attacking intent from the start. This is still a Big Two match and I know how important it is to everyone at the club that we show we can deliver in games like this.
We’ll have David Fisher and Seanan Clucas available after suspension. They will both be a big boost to us. Jonny Russell and Charlie Lindsay came back from the Northern Ireland U21 games in great shape but a bit too close to last week’s game to get a start. We gave Charlie a start in the Seconds game at Ballymena on Wednesday night to give him game time along with Harry Murphy and Kirk McLaughlin as these are all very good young players who’ll all be needed for the post-split games and play offs. Charlie and Kirk both scored in a good 6-1 win. I was at the game and the young team were excellent from front to back. Moko has worked very hard to get fit and showed how much character and what a great attitude he has. He also played in Ballymena and did well so it’s great to have him available.
Aaron Wightman had a scan last week and is likely to miss the rest of the season. Aaron will be a bad loss to us as he’s a great young lad and a fantastic asset to the club. He should have a great future here as when I speak to him its clear he has Glentoran in his heart and he epitomises what’s great about the club. Josh Kelly has been unavailable for the past couple of weeks with a knee injury but again hopefully he won’t be too long. More positively is that Cammy Palmer has been recovering very well from his operation and should be available to us in a week or two. That’s great as I know Cammy was doing very well before his injury.
To the fans I would like to say, I know how disappointed you are all bound to be after going out of the cup. But we have a series of games now against top opposition so I urge you to please come in your numbers and get behind the team as we chase European football.”
Tickets for the Glentoran end and main stand are available HERE.
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IMPORTANT SUPPORTER NOTICE
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.
POLICE NOTICE FOR GLENTORAN SUPPORTERS
Police are requesting that Glentoran fans travelling by car and coach to the NIFL Premiership match with Linfield at the Bet McLean Oval Stadium, on Saturday 6th April 2024 with a 17.30 hrs KO, leave sufficient travel time to arrive at the match.
Entry to the ground for Glentoran fans will be via the main Parkgate Drive gates. If you are driving to the match, please park with consideration for the local community/residents and businesses. Traffic congestion is likely at key ingress and egress times due to the expected volume of supporters attending the fixture.
Police are reminding all fans that there are specific offences created by the Criminal Justice Act NI 2011 in relation to soccer matches-
- Possession of/ throwing Fireworks/ Flares etc
- Throwing Articles capable of causing injury
- Going on to the Playing area
- Sectarian Chanting
- Drinking on Passenger Carrying Vehicles
In addition all fans are reminded that the areas around the stadium are “No Street Drinking” zones under Belfast City Council By-Laws. Supporters are asked to be respectful and considerate whilst walking through residential streets convenient to the stadium. Any Street drinking taking place will be dealt with robustly by police and any alcohol found subject to seizure. As a condition of entry to the stadium supporters will be subject to random searches.
Maximum Use of CCTV/ Video Evidence will be utilised as part of the match Policing Operation in an effort to deal with any criminal offences/anti-social behaviour which takes place.
- Police will take all steps to identify and deal with anyone who has been or is committing offences.
- It is hoped that a commonsense approach to the event can be taken by all and the occasion enjoyed.
It is vitally important for supporter and community safety that these instructions are complied with.’
