Saturday 9th March
Kick Off 3.00pm
Match 31 in the Sports Direct Premiership on Saturday when Loughgall visit the Bet McLean Oval.
Having confounded all expectations of how they would adapt to Premiership football after their promotion last Spring, Loughgall not only find themselves 14 points clear of any relegation danger but with an outside chance of making the end of season top 6 split. Although last Saturday’s 3-3 home draw with Carrick Rangers was a 4th league game without a win, manager Dean Smith and his squad can be justifiably proud of all their efforts this season.
One difficult memory of this campaign, however, will be the 6-0 defeat they endured on their first visit to the Oval last October. That night a Jay Donnelly brace and goals from Junior and Daire O’Connor saw the Glens ease to a 4-goal lead at half time, before a David Fisher penalty and a further strike by Paddy McClean added to the rout and inflicted the visitors heaviest defeat of the season to date.
Smith made minimal changes to his squad during the January window, making just 3 signings and seeing 2 departures. While disappointed to see striker Jay Boyd recalled by Crusaders from his successful loan spell, Smith was able to bring 2 forwards in to the club in Ballymena United’s Ryan Waide and our own Leon Boyd on loan, although Boyd will be ineligible to face his parent club.
Warren Feeney: “It wasn’t our strongest performance against Glenavon at Mourneview on Tuesday but with the chances created we definitely should have won the game. We had a makeshift back three due to injuries. The three lads hadn’t played together before in that formation but under the circumstances I thought they did well. Also I though David Fisher in particular caused Glenavon plenty of problems up front.
While it wasn’t a great performance, it was still very frustrating to have three goals disallowed. Video evidence showed that David was onside for his goal. If that had been rightly allowed to stand in the first minute it obviously would have been a very different game. For Shay’s goal the offside was given against Niall McGinn who didn’t touch the ball and wasn’t in a position to influence the goal. Then for Junior’s the goal was flagged off by the same linesman on the basis that Paddy McClean was off the pitch when he headed the ball across to Junior. Again the video evidence clearly indicates the goal should have stood. We’ve had a few decisions of this sort given against us this season, as have other clubs. I had a good meeting on Wednesday with the IFA refereeing authorities where I made our case strongly and clearly.
For Saturday we won’t underestimate Loughgall. We had a very good win over them last time at the Oval but a very hard won three points against them at their place earlier in the season. They’ve plenty of threat up front and it’s a credit to Dean and his players that in their first season up they’re still playing hard for a place in the top six and the Euro playoffs. We’re still without Rhys, Moko and Jay but hopefully not for much longer.
Tickets for this game can be purchased HERE from the club website.
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.
Saturday’s Match Sponsor is Premier Group Facilities Management Ltd
What started as a cleaning company 19 years ago, Premier Group Ltd have grown into a multi-national Facilities Management company. that boast an ever-growing team of workers, with high end clientele across Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Premier’s wide range of services include: Responsive Maintenance, Cleaning and Window Cleaning, on call maintenance and general housekeeping..
- Telephone: 02896 207038
- Email: scott@premier-ni.co.uk
- Website: https://premiergroup-ni.co.uk/
- Address: 32A Greenville St, Belfast BT5 5AG
Saturday’s Ball Sponsorship is in memory of Michael Fee
This week's ball is sponsored in memory of the late Michael Fee. Michael was a much-loved volunteer at the oval for many years before sadly passing away in September 2022 after a long illness. Michael was a well-known and lifelong Glenman who over the years had many diverse roles at the club, including organising matchday mascots, producing season tickets and actively participating in the formation and initial development of the Glentoran Academy.
Michael’s beloved wife Michelle and nine close friends will be attending Saturday’s game in the hospitality suite.
Remembering Michael.
