Glentoran got their pre-season fixtures off to a winning start with this comfortable victory over neighbours Dundela at Wilgar Park.
The Glens almost took the lead after 20 minutes as Stephen Carson’s free kick came back off the upright, but they were ahead just a couple of minutes later when Colin Nixon slotted home a penalty after Jim O’Hanlon had been brought down. On 32 minutes the lead was doubled when Carson found John McGuigan who finished neatly from close range and soon afterwards O’Hanlon made it 3-0 when left unmarked in the Dundela box.
Eddie Patterson replaced all ten outfield players at half time and 4 minutes after the break Richard Gibson almost increased the lead when his header came back off the cross bar. Richard Clarke and Kyle Cherry brought fine saves from the Dundela ‘keeper, but the Glens had to wait until stoppage time to add to their tally, Gibson taking advantage of poor marking for an easy tap in to round off the afternoon.
First half team:
Morris, Bradley, Magee, Nixon, Hill, O’Hanlon, M Clarke, Ward, McGuigan, Carson, Waterworth
Second half team:
Morris, Johnston, Callacher, Birney, Kane, Beggs, Cherry, McAlorum, R Clarke, M Murray, Gibson