Saturday 29th January

Glentoran 2 Coleraine 0

Hungry Glentoran are at the front of the queue for seconds in the Smirnoff Irish Premiership.  They jumped over Coleraine in the race for the runners up spot.  Stuart Zico Elliott attracting interest from across the Irish Sea crossed the ball from the left hand side in the third minute and his sweeping cross was knocked into his own goal by ex Glen Man Michael Smyth.  An eventful opening there was really much else to comment about in the first 45 minutes.

Pat McAllister and Pete Batey midfield battle was a highly charged contest, and at times the match threatened to boil over.  John Devine and Mark Picking were both booked for first half fouls on Scott Young and team mate McAuley followed in the second half, while trio McCombe and Kennedy and Rory Hamill were also cautioned.  Glentoran looked much happier in the second half after Stuart Elliott scored a screamer from the edge of the box angling his shot beautifully past McKeown.  Hamill should have made it three nil, he rounded the Keeper but his half hit shot was easily cleared by John Devine on the line.  Then Elliott missed in front of goal after Young had pulled the ball back from the by-line.  To end the day of misery for the visitors Pat McAllister received his marching orders after a two footed rash challenge of Pete Batey.

Team

Gough 7, Leeman 7, Kennedy 6, Walker 6, McCombe 7, Young 7, McCann 7, Hamill 6, Gilzean 6, Batey 7, Elliott 8 Subs all Unused Rainey, Halliday, Russell

Referee Herbie Barr 5