Friday 1st December
Kick Off 7.45pm
Tomorrow night we face our old rivals Linfield for the third time so far this season and the second time in the Sports Direct Premiership as the league campaign reaches the half way stage for us (but not for Linfield who have a game in hand).
Linfield returned to the top of the table with Saturday’s 4-0 home win over Ballymena United, a brace from summer signing Matthew Fitzpatrick and one each from Kirk Millar and Kyle McClean securing an instant return to form after losing their previous game at home to fellow title challengers Larne. Indeed, outside of that defeat and two previous losses to the Inver Reds, Linfield have won 15 of their last 18 fixtures in all competitions. The last side to avoid defeat to them before that were Carrick Rangers when they secured a 3-3 draw at the National Stadium at the end of August.
Both sides claimed a victory each in last season’s league fixtures at the Oval; a last minute Eetu Vertainen goal securing a 2-1 win for Linfield on Boxing Day before a Bobby Burns brace either side of half time and an Aidan Wilson effort just after the break saw Rodney McAree’s side run out convincing 3-0 winners just a few weeks later in mid-February.
Defenders Ben Hall and Daniel Finlayson returned to the starting line-up against Ballymena United while striker Chris McKee will be hoping for a recall to the side after being an unused substitute against the Braidmen.
Warren Feeney: “I was delighted with our performance at Carrick on Tuesday night and for everyone around the club and our supporters that we now have a final to look forward to. We knew it would be a difficult game from our earlier matches against them this season but this time we made sure to build on taking the league, not letting up on them and as a result the goals came. The result was the important thing as it always is in a knockout match, but we were professional and committed from start to finish. That’s the sort of performance we’re entitled to expect from a Glentoran team and going forward I expect that level of commitment and performance in every game.
"Injuries remain a big issue for us with so many regular starters still missing. I’ve never experienced an injury list like it but we need to get on with it and for the players who’ve come in to take their chance. It was a great boost to have Luke back for the Carrick game but on the downside Aidan pulled up at Larne so we lost him. But a positive has been the way lads like Johnny Russell and Aaron Wightman have stepped in and taken their chance so well.
"With another Big Two game tomorrow night there’s no need to get the boys motivated for this one after two losses to Linfield this season. Mentality plays a massive part in these games and I thought they all showed the right mentality at Carrick. They also looked physically strong so it’ll be a good game ad we need to be confident about going out to get a win at home against our old rivals.
Remaining tickets for this game can be purchased HERE.
https://www.glentoran.com/tickets
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.
MATCH SPONSOR
Tomorrow’s match sponsor is Box-It Ireland
Headed in Belfast by Glentoran playing legend Darren Lockhart, Box-It Ireland is a long-standing friend and supporter of Glentoran and is currently sponsor of all Glentoran social media activity and also GlensTV. The company has its name on the back of all shirts worn by both men’s and women’s teams at Glentoran. Darren and Box-It are great supporters and allies of sport in Northern Ireland, but especially the Glens.
Box-it Ireland have over 25 years’ experience in manufacturing of bespoke corrugated boxes. Based in Belfast & Newry, the company covers all of Ireland, supplying boxes into multiple sectors, including Food, Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical, Medical and Online Retailers.
For a free quotation, as well as additional information about any of our packing material supply services, contact us using the details below.
- Unit 11, 40 Montgomery Road Belfast BT6 9HL
- Email info@box-it.uk.com
- Phone +44 28 9070 7900
- Opening Times
- Monday - Thursday: 7am - 5pm
- Friday: 7am - 1pm
Tomorrow’s ball sponsor is DJI Group
DJI Group now firmly established as a quality provider of Design + Build solutions in Ireland & UK. With Offices & Management in both Ireland & the UK, DJI Group’s Key Managers each have over 20 years of practical experience in the following sectors.
- Commercial Office & Commercial Workplace Solutions
- Retail High Street & Mall Environments
- Hospitality Restaurants, Bars & Hotels
- Residential Developer Led & Bespoke
DJI fills an unmet position in the market by offering IN HOUSE design & build services tailored to the individual demands of each project and can therefore adapt in real time throughout the course of any project, adjusting technical details, value engineering and improving procurement processes to maximise the end result.
Contact through www.dji.ie
