Irish Premier League

25th September

Glentoran 5 Portadown 3

Glens Blast Sorry Ports

The Glens are Back, and if they continue in this fashion then the rest of the Irish League better watch out!!

Roy Coyle's men doubled their goal score column in the opening 65 minutes of this game and the Oval boss was right saying someone was going to suffer sooner or later for their inauspicious start to the season.  The way the Glens started this game they certainly had the look of defending champions.

Stuart Elliott might have given them the lead after five minutes the Ports defence backed off but his shot was straight at Dalton.  However a minute later they were in front.  John Kennedy fed Rory Hamill down the left and his cross found Tim McCann on his own at the back post to head home.

On 10 minutes it was 2-0 and it was McCann again on the mark.  This time Brian Russell was the provider and McCann's header went across the face of the goal into the bottom corner.  Paul Leeman then had the chance to make it three, but he spooned Scott Young's low cross over the bar.

Portadown then clawed their way back into the game with their first attempt on goal after 20 minutes.  Richard Clarke crossed from the left and Nigel Quigley rose un-marked to head past Neil Armstrong.  The Glens had a few chances to increase their lead before the break.

The best of those when Ally McCombe headed down a corner and Russell somehow put the ball over the bar when it seemed easier to score.  Only ten seconds into the second period Russell made amends.  McCann lobbed the ball over a static Ports defence, hesitation between Quigley and Dalton let the former Crusaders striker in to head his first goal for the club.

On 51 minutes Vinny Arkins threw the Ports a lifeline.  Tony Sheridan found himself with only the ball as he rounded him, the ball ran to Arkins 20 yards out with No-One between him and the net and he simply does not miss chances like those.  Just before the hour the Ports were level.  Clarke found Arkins with a crossfield ball as he ran into the box Armstrong was adjudged to have fouled him, the Dubliner picked himself up to rifle home the spot kick.

But their joy was shot lived, John Kennedy firing the Glens back in front with an unstoppable shot from 25 yards, this must be a family trait as brother Peter has built up a reputation for goals like that.  As if that was not enough entertainment for one day Scott Young made it 5-3 direct from a corner kick.  He then should have made it the round half dozen 15 minutes from time when he tried to beat too many men and when Rory Hamill picked up the ball he shot wide.

McCann had two chances to round off his hat trick.  His first was foiled when Johnny Topley fouled him just two yards out.  McCann took the resultant penalty but for the second week in a row Dalton saved from the spot.

Team