Monday 27th December

Glentoran 1 Linfield 1

Blues Happy With Draw

Linfield the current league leaders left the Oval very pleased this afternoon with their 1-1 draw with the Champions at a Jam-Packed Oval.

The first 45 minutes was the usual derby stuff scrappy, with no clear cut chances, infact it was one of the most boring first halves of the season.  A strong 9000 crowd turned up despite the freezing cold conditions. The only change for the Glens today was the absence of Pete Batey through suspension again, Leeman stepped into his position and really did nothing to contribute to the Glens play all afternoon, he was later replaced by Ian Gilzean in the second half.

The first real effort of the game fell to Scott Young in the 11th minute who was played through on goal by a sweet pass by Rory Hamill and Young held off Murphy but his strong right foot shot flew into the side netting, we all thought it was in.  Paul Leeman then wasted a good opportunity first his weak shot was blocked and his second was well over and into the Linfield crowd at the city end.  The Blues only chance in the first half fell to Chris Morgan in the 40th minute but his weak shot when clean through was easily stopped by Alan Gough.

Half Time Glentoran 0 Linfield 0

The second half was allot more lively and the Blues scored near the hour mark when Alistair McCombe's clearance was chested down by Tony Gorman and his Volley-Lob from 25 yards gave Alan Gough no chance.  1-0 to the league leaders.  The Glens did however equalize after hard pressing from the Glens forwards but great Linfield defending kept the Glens to a minimum.  In the 74th minute Scott Young's corner was powerfully headed towards goal, Mathers made a fantastic save onto the crossbar, Elliott then recovered and his effort bounced back of the underside of the crossbar, and the second rebound was headed in by Alistair McCombe for his 5th goal of the season.  The big defenders second goal v Linfield in as many games.

The Glens persistent pressure did not lead to a second goal because of the dogged defending and goalkeeping of the league leaders, all the Blues defence could do was to HOOF the ball downfield or out of play attractive football from the league leaders_I don't think so. The final whistle sounded after 4 minutes of injury time and was met by a relieved cheer from the Linfield crowd.

Team

Glentoran- Gough 7, Nixon 7, Kennedy 5, Walker 8, McCombe 8, Leeman 5, McCann 5, Hamill 8, Russell 8, Young 8, Elliott 7 Subs Rainey 6, Gilzean 6 Sub Not Used Livingstone

Referee Leslie Irvine 7

My Man of the Match Alistair McCombe