Glentoran welcome Coleraine at the Oval tonight (kick-off 7:45pm) before the league splits in April.
Both teams have secured a top-half finish and are scheduled to clash again next Saturday.
The Bannsiders sit one place above the Glens in the Danske Bank Premiership table, boasting a nine point advantage. The double-header of fixtures, starting tonight, represents a perfect chance for the East Belfast side to reduce that deficit.
Two early Curtis Allen strikes were enough for Glentoran to claim all three points at the Belfast Loughshore Hotel Arena this afternoon. Alan Kernaghan made two changes to the side that beat Portadown 2-1 last Saturday with Stephen Rice and Chris Lavery making way for Chris Morrow and Steven McCullough. The Glentoran manager will have rightly expected a testing afternoon as the home side came into the game fresh from an impressive 4-3 win over league leaders Crusaders.
Glentoran travel to Carrick Rangers in search of a fourth win in their last 10 games.
Alan Kernaghan’s men ended a three-match losing run last week after a 2-1 win over Portadown at the Oval.
Marcio Soares put the visitors ahead with less than a minute on the clock, but the Glens were able to come from behind to claim all the points thanks to Curtis Allen’s superb brace.
The striker’s 15th and 16th league goals this season helped the East Belfast side to secure a place among the top six and with it a shot at European qualification.
A stunning free-kick from Curtis Allen snatched a late victory for Glentoran who had to come from a goal down to beat Portadown at The Oval.
Portadown took the lead through a first minute Marcio Soares goal but Allen put the game on level terms before dispatching his winning set-piece beyond the reach of the impressive David Miskelly.
Jim Cowan, Chairman of the Quarry GSC presents Glentoran Chairman Stephen Henderson with a cheque for £200 as their contribution towards the Glentoran Medical funds. Your support is very much appreciated.
The Premier Lounge at the Oval will host a Night at the Races tonight from 7.30pm. The first team and reserve teams will all be there and helping to raise funds for the same cause. All are welcome and you can pay at the door.
Glentoran host Portadown at the Oval on Saturday afternoon in search of ending a three game losing streak.
Alan Kernaghan’s side have struggled for consistency since the turn of the year, collecting just nine points in their last ten games.
Despite back-to-back wins in mid-February the Glens have since fallen to three straight league defeats. The recent shortcoming against fierce rivals Linfield was particularly bitter as the East Belfast side were well beaten at the National Stadium last week.
It was fantastic day at Shorts FC on Sunday, for the Glentoran Academy 2008 Tournament and Family Day.
The mighty Glens dominated their final game but were unlucky against Larne Youth who knocked them out of the tournament. The 2008 Colts played superbly and were unlucky to get beaten on penalties by Coleraine. The tournament finished with Rosario winning the Cup. Coleraine won the plate and Portavogie won the bronze trophy. Congratulations to all 3 clubs.
Glentoran produced a poor display and deservedly were defeated 3-0 by arch rivals Linfield at The National Stadium. Jonathan Smith was on the bench replaced by Fra McCaffrey returning to the right hand side of Glentoran's front three with Chris Lavery on the other side of Curtis Allen. Along with Lavery, Stephen Rice made his first Big Two appearance for Glentoran in midfield alongside Jonny Addis and Ciaran Caldwell whilst the back four remained unchanged.
Fans are reminded that this is an ALL TICKET fixture. Tickets are still available at the Glentoran Superstore, Dawson's Newsagents on Belmont Road and the Spar on Ravenhill Road. All outlets have adult tickets (£10). Both Dawson's and Spar have a limited number of concession tickets (£7).
Glentoran supporters will be accommodated in the Railway Stand and should approach the stadium via the railway bridge.
Match Preview
5th April 1987 is a day that will live in the memory of thousands of Glens supporters over the age 0f 40. It was the day we beat Linfield 3-2 at the Oval in the final of one of our favourite old tournaments, the Gold Cup. It was also the day the cup was won by a great run and strike from one of our own, 18 year old winger and lifelong Glenman, Robert Craig.
