Glentoran were held to a 1-1 draw by English National League North side Chester in Saturday’s pre-season fixture at The BetMcLean Oval.
The match followed a vibrant Glentoran Community Carnival, with music, games, and family-friendly entertainment creating a lively buzz in the build-up to kick-off.
Played in front of a strong crowd on a sun-soaked afternoon, the visitors took the lead on 17 minutes through Offrande Zanzala. The forward met a lofted cross with a powerful volley that left Glens goalkeeper Andrew Mills with no chance.
Chester had started brightly and threatened early through James Jones, while Glentoran’s best first-half chances came via Jordan Jenkins, whose two low efforts were well held by Chester keeper Lewys Benjamin.
The Glens responded strongly after the break and found their equaliser five minutes into the second half. Midfielder Joe Thomson latched onto a loose ball in the box and rifled a clinical finish into the bottom corner.
Thomson almost added a second shortly after, but his lobbed effort was hooked off the line by the retreating Chester goalkeeper. Jenkins continued to look sharp in the final third, but Benjamin was again equal to the task, saving well from a drilled strike with 15 minutes to play.
A solid pre-season outing for Declan Devine’s side as preparations continue ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Full-Time: Glentoran 1–1 Chester
Photography by Adam Harwood
Photography by Adam Harwood