Loughgall FC v Glentoran,
BetMcLean League Cup, Round Two
Tuesday 29 August 2017, 7.45pm.
On Tuesday we open our BetMcLean League Cup campaign with our first competitive visit to Lakeview Park for nearly eleven years to face Loughgall FC.
Last time we visited Lakeview Park was in November 2006 when we won 1-3 in the league with goals from Kyle Neill, Gary Hamilton and Michael Halliday with his 100th goal for the club.
In their three competitive fixtures Loughgall have had a 2-1 away defeat to Ballyclare Comrades, a 2-1 home win over Dergview and most recently a 1-3 away defeat to Newry City at the weekend. Our players should not need to be warned of the dangers of over confidence or complacency in this tie following our 3-2 humiliation to Annagh United, also in County Armagh, at the same stage last season.
Manager Gary Haveron said: “I was very pleased with the lads 2nd half performance on Friday night against a strong Glenavon outfit, and contrary to my counterparts comments on TV I was bitterly disappointed not to hold on for the win. But I was very proud of my young side for the character they showed. Lesser teams would have gone under and not produced what we did in the end. Glenavon would have been pleased to leave with the point as with only 4 minutes to go they where getting nothing from the game. Robbie McDaid came on and immediately showed his goal scoring qualities and I'm sure he will be keen to improve on his tally against Loughgall.
I will be looking to use the full squad tomorrow night at Loughgall. A number of players have been working hard and waiting for the opportunity to play ... so they will get the chance to impress. James Knowles, Dwayne Nelson, Robbie McDaid, Dan Kelly, Jonny Addis and Tre Sterling will all be starting. I want to do well in every competition we enter and I believe we now have a strong squad to select from. The hardest part of my job is leaving players out who work as hard as these lads work in training. Some have had to be patient but it's a long season and we are going to need everyone to make a contribution. Bobo Smith played 45 minutes on Saturday for the Under 20s in the Steel & Sons Cup success, scoring 2 and looking good in the process so he will hopefully get up to speed soon and be back in contention for selection.
I was pleased to hear that both Karl Hamill and Paddy Cafolla played 90 minutes and were very good in Knockbreda's 3-1 success over the welders. Well done to both lads!
On a less positive note, Dylan Davidson dislocated his shoulder on Friday night and that injury will keep him out of action for a number of weeks. It’s a pity as he’s started so well for us but it really was a bad one and it’s a great testament to Dylan’s attitude that he didn’t want to come off and was insisting the Physio pop it back in for him to play on. He’s got a lot of heart and is in good hands with our Physio, Jonny Cummings. Jonny works hard with all the boys on their rehab so a speedy recovery to Dylan.
Finally, the fantastic support we got on Friday night gave everyone of the players and staff a massive lift and I hope the chants of “We love you Glentoran ... we do” is something we hear a lot more of this season at the end of games”.
