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Newry City 0-1 Glentoran

Sat, 22/10/2022 - 19:23

A goal from Conor McMenamin, early in the first half, gave the Glens all 3 points in today's Danske Bank Premiership meeting at the Newry Showgrounds.

The starting XI was unchanged from the side which won 3-nil at the National Stadium last weekend and the Glens were quickly on the front foot. There was barely a minute on the clock when Rhys Marshall raced down the right and put in a great cross. Rory Donnelly met it but his header flashed just wide. A couple of minutes later Marcus Kane reclaimed the ball deep in the Newry City half before finding Hrvoje Plum about 25 yards from goal. The Croatian midfielder went for goal but his shot flew wide of the post. The Glens continued to press high up the field and Jay Donnelly was unlucky to see his shot blocked when he got on the end of a cross from Conor McMenamin. The ball broke to Shay McCartan who fired it goalwards only to be denied the opener by a fine stop from Steven Maguire.

Glentoran edged in front on 12 minutes. A through ball from Rhys Marshall found Conor McMenamin on the right side of the Newry 18-yard box. McMenamin controlled the ball before cutting inside Noel Healy and driving a low shot past Maguire at his near post. The City goalkeeper would go on to have an excellent game but will certainly be disappointed to be beaten on this occasion. 5 minutes later Maguire was in action yet again, this time doing well to keep out a powerful effort from Bobby Burns.

From around 20 minutes in until halftime the game stagnated somewhat. The Glens were dominant in possession but without creating any clear openings. As we approached the break there was alomst a second goal though. On 43 minutes a Glentoran corner on the left resulted in a scramble in the 6-yard box. It looked at one stage as though the ball might have crossed the line but nothing was given.

Halftime: Newry City 0-1 Glentoran 

The Glens were back on the attack early in the second half. On 49 minutes a break down the right involving McMenamin and Marshall set up a decent chance for Hrvoje Plum but his volley flew wide of the target. Following another Glentoran corner, Aidan Wilson almost added to his season's goal tally but his header flashed wide of the post. A minute later Plum chased down a backpass from Andrew Martin towards his keeper, Steven Maguire. The City custodian sliced his clearance high into the air and with Hrvoje Plum favourite to reach the ball first, Martin fouled him in the area. Penalty to Glentoran! Jay Donnelly took responsibility from the spot but his low shot was well saved by Maguire.

A cross from Marcus Kane was almost sliced into his own goal by McGivern on 58 minutes. The home keeper managed to keep it out though and Conor McMenamin was unlucky to see his follow up shot blocked. Just past the hour mark a superb pass from Jay Donnelly set Shay McCartan away on the right. His low cross was met by Rory Donnelly but the ball flashed wide of the post. Midway through the second half Plum's ball into the area was sliced into the air by Darren King. Shay McCartan met it but his excellent header was well saved by Maguire. From the resulting corner the ball was cleared only as far as Rhys Marshall just outside the area. Marshall could not have struck it any better but once again Steven Maguire was on hand to deny the Glens a second goal that their play warranted.

Substitute, James Singleton headed wide from another Hrvoje Plum corner before there was a half chance for City at the other end; Aaron McCarey having to be quick off his line to deny Declan Carville on 77 minutes. There were 5 minutes of added time which almost brought the home side an equaliser on two occasions. On 90 +3 minutes a long ball forward from the Newry keeper was flicked into the path of Daniel Hughes by Declan Carville. Hughes struck the ball well from the edge of the 'D' but Aaron McCarey made a fine stop. The ball broke towards Carville though and he looked certain to level things up until Patrick McClean intervened with a superb interception and clearance. 

There was still one more nervous moment for the large travelling support in the final minute of added time when Daniel Hughes got on the end of a long throw in but saw his header go inches wide of the post. That was the last action of the game. Another clean sheet and another 3 points.

Photographs by PACEMAKER

Glentoran: McCarey, Marshall, Kane (c) (Singleton 62), Wilson, McClean, Burns, Plum (Devlin 80), McCartan, J. Donnelly (Purkis 62), McMenamin (Roy 70) & R. Donnelly.